Energy Efficiency

Too Costly To Waste
Energy events of the last few years have struck a raw nerve in Colorado. With hurricanes hammering the Gulf coast, gas prices hovering around record-setting gas prices, and the reality the next cold hard Colorado winter's heating costs loom, it's clear that we can't afford to continue on our path of energy consumption and inefficiency.

As we shift to renewable energy sources, we also need to be reducing our energy use. We can't afford inefficiency. Along with renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass, Colorado also needs to reduce our energy intake.

Expensive and unhealthy sources
Rising Utility Bills: Utility companies increased natural gas costs 78 percent in two years. This winter, natural gas bills will increase by another 104 percent. That's $60-$130 more every month to heat a home.

An Unhealthy Balance: Ninety five percent of Colorado's electricity relies on outdated fossil fuel technologies like coal and natural gas. Coal plants are the state's largest polluters. The Cherokee Plant near Denver creates as much pollution every year as 500,000 cars.

Our chance to stop big energy
Powerful Opposition: There's a reason Coloradans haven't seen real energy efficiency standards yet. Power companies like Xcel Energy, whose profits increase with energy waste, hold a lot of weight in Denver and want to weaken good consumer legislation.

Getting Energy Policy Right: With Colorado's budget issues
and high energy costs, the Speaker of the House is calling for a meeting of the minds on energy. The Legislature has the chance to take their findings and set the right energy policy.

A simple solution
Improving Our Homes: Through rebates on energy efficient tools like efficient water heaters, double-pane windows, insulation, and solar heating and cooling systems, we can easily achieve a state-wide energy use reduction.

Saving Coloradans Money: Energy efficiency also saves consumers money. By hitting energy use reduction goals in 2020, we'll save 20 percent in electricity costs alone. By 2030, we would save over $525 million and eliminate the need for several polluting power plants.

Bill Would Give Consumers A Break
High utility bills and excessive pollution make energy too costly to waste. In the next few months, the Legislature will decide our energy future. CoPIRG is advocating a bill that would enable utilities to give consumers rebates on new efficient products. The bill would require utilities to reduce energy consumption 15 percent by 2020.

Passing the bill means Colorado would use a lot less energy, save billions of dollars and experience fewer price spikes. And, as we reduce the need for new power plants, it means cleaner air.