Colorado expands biomass under RPS
May 31, 2010
BY Anna Austin
Posted June 23, 2010, at 5:04 p.m. CST
Just three months after Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter increased the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 50 percent, he has signed into law a suite of bills that will help meet the higher RPS goal (30 percent by 2020) while promoting biomass energy development and job growth in the state.
In particular, Senate Bill 177 expands biomass resources that can qualify under the RPS to dead and dying lodge pole pines in the state, as well as municipal solid waste and biosolids derived from the treatment of wastewater. According to Gov. Ritter's office, more than 3 million acres of dead and dying pines remain in the state as a result of the western pine beetle infestation, posing high risks for wildfires. SB 177 House sponsor Christine Scanlan, D-Colo., said the law will revitalize the state's forest industry-which has declined substantially in the past few years-by allowing it to clear out the dead trees and smartly recycle beetle-kill timber, while developing green energy and creating new jobs.
In addition to the expanded biomass definitions, as of July 2013, the bill cuts property taxes for forestry industry equipment used specifically to produce wood for fuel purposes, such as wood chips.
To further facilitate the growth of new green jobs, Ritter signed House Bill 1333, which provides grants to community colleges, vocational schools and other training providers to develop clean energy job training programs. Specifically, the training program will be a two-year pilot program that will offer grants to applicants who train individuals for jobs in the wind, solar, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. The bill specifies that the pilot program is to be funded by federal funds received by the department of labor and employment and funds received from the governor's energy office.
Complimenting SB 177, Ritter also signed House Bill 10-1363, which allows electric utilities to implement new technologies for the generation of electricity derived from methane produced biogenically.
Just three months after Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter increased the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 50 percent, he has signed into law a suite of bills that will help meet the higher RPS goal (30 percent by 2020) while promoting biomass energy development and job growth in the state.
In particular, Senate Bill 177 expands biomass resources that can qualify under the RPS to dead and dying lodge pole pines in the state, as well as municipal solid waste and biosolids derived from the treatment of wastewater. According to Gov. Ritter's office, more than 3 million acres of dead and dying pines remain in the state as a result of the western pine beetle infestation, posing high risks for wildfires. SB 177 House sponsor Christine Scanlan, D-Colo., said the law will revitalize the state's forest industry-which has declined substantially in the past few years-by allowing it to clear out the dead trees and smartly recycle beetle-kill timber, while developing green energy and creating new jobs.
In addition to the expanded biomass definitions, as of July 2013, the bill cuts property taxes for forestry industry equipment used specifically to produce wood for fuel purposes, such as wood chips.
To further facilitate the growth of new green jobs, Ritter signed House Bill 1333, which provides grants to community colleges, vocational schools and other training providers to develop clean energy job training programs. Specifically, the training program will be a two-year pilot program that will offer grants to applicants who train individuals for jobs in the wind, solar, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. The bill specifies that the pilot program is to be funded by federal funds received by the department of labor and employment and funds received from the governor's energy office.
Complimenting SB 177, Ritter also signed House Bill 10-1363, which allows electric utilities to implement new technologies for the generation of electricity derived from methane produced biogenically.
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