Colorado Governor Calls Clean Energy Future For America

By AJ Swartwood

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter spoke vehemently Wednesday in support of clean energy policy and its positive effect on job creation.

 “With a commitment to clean enegy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, you can create jobs,” said Ritter, who touted his home state as a leader in clean energy legislation and technology.

In the build up to November’s crucial midterm elections, debate has ignited among some states who are questioning whether clean energy initiatives are in the best interest for them and the country. Ritter said that in addition to the scientific and environmental motivation to transition to clean energy, the business and economic benefits of such a switch add ‘fuel to the fire’. He cited the billions dollars of investment and 2,600 jobs that the wind power company Vestas brought to his state because of Colorado’s commitment to clean energy.

“This ecosystem that we’ve created for renewable energy has been very significant, we attracted 465 million of venture capital from ‘06 to ‘08 for clean energy jobs,” Ritter said, showcasing the positive economic impact the investment in clean energy has had.

Ritter called on voters to support candidates who were committed to clean energy in the upcoming elections because that is where the future lies.

“We have been able to create a significant number of jobs as a result of our clean energy agenda,” Ritter said. “This is the way America needs to go.”

The Rocky Mountain State’s governor touted the steps he and his state have taken and believed Colorado was paving the way for the future of clean energy.

“We’ve just done a variety of things that over the long run can be used as a template for the nation,” he said.

Senate Democrats Dodd And Dorgan Will Not Seek Reelection

As the U.S. moves into what promises to be a highly turbulent election year, Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) have announced that they will seek reelection in 2010.

“This is my moment to step aside,” Dodd said Wednesday in a speech from his home state. “One year from this week, our state will have a new Senator.”

Dorgan issued a statement denying that his decision to leave the Senate was in response to the upcoming election, and added that he believes he could maintain control of his seat had he decided to run again.

Republicans have set their sights on both seats, with businesswoman and World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Linda McMahon as a popular contender for Connecticut and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven gaining momentum in his state.

On a state level, Democratic Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will also not be seeking reelection. Michigan Lt. Governor John Cherry, also a Democrat, closed his gubernatorial campaign as well.

Climate Change Legislation Should Be About More Than Climate, Senators Say

By Sam Wechsler - Talk Radio News Service

Climate change legislation is not just about curbing global warming, but also about jobs and America’s health, argued Senators during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) argued that while the bill intends to clean up America’s carbon footprint and to create new jobs in the renewable energy sector, it will also kill approximately 2.5 million other jobs. Bond also said that government does not create “green jobs," but rather buys them with taxpayer subsidies.

“I think one of our prime tests in moving forward with energy legislation and environmental legislation is not just energy security for America, which is critically important, we need to do that.....but we also need to keep jobs and create jobs in America,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).


During his testimony, Governor Bill Ritter (D-Colo.) discussed Colorado’s relatively low unemployment rate of 7.6%, which is nearly two points below the national average. “The new energy economy is certainly part of the reason we’re in such relatively strong shape,” he said.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) suggested that the country’s health should be of the utmost concern. He said that while some argue farmers have the most to lose if the country imposes costs and rules to clean up the environment, families with children and grandchildren actually have the most to lose. Citing increased risks of respiratory diseases due to pollution, he stated “we’ve all got a price to pay here, the question is, are we going to continue with our heads buried in the sand?”