E2 Rockies members have spent the last several months setting the groundwork to push for stronger energy efficiency and electric vehicles legislation in Colorado.
In addition to connecting E2 Rockies members with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle, we hosted a legislative briefing in early January, where we released Clean Jobs Colorado – which tracks clean energy jobs in every legislative and congressional district in the state. The report has been widely distributed to all our state legislators and beyond, and has received broad press coverage, including this piece Clean Energy Jobs Power La Plata County.
E2 Rockies also sent an action alert letter urging the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to direct VW Settlement Funds to electric vehicles and Infrastructure. We also published this op-ed in Salt Lake Tribune about How Utah Can Continue to Lead the Way on Electric Vehicles. Most recently, E2 Emerging Leaders members Karen Sweeney and Emily Applegate did a terrific job providing comment at the Public Utilities Commission, in support of expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency, at the recent public meeting for Xcel Energy’s Electric Resource plan.
In January, E2 Rockies also co-hosted an event in Ft. Collins, “On Pace for C-PACE” to build support for Colorado’s nationally recognized program that helps commercial building owners lower energy costs, reduce energy waste and improve their bottom lines – while contributing to Colorado’s clean energy economy. E2 member, RJ Mastic, was part of the panel discussion, and shared his business experience building his company, which provides commercial energy efficiency upgrades.
In February, together with the American Sustainable Business Council, B-Lab, and The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, E2 co-sponsored “Why Policy Matters, and How Business Can Effectuate Change” in Denver. E2 Rockies member, Brice Leconte and I spoke on the panel about advocacy, and the important role business leaders can take in shaping policy.
On the federal level, the chapter sent a letter urging Sen. Cory Gardner to vote against the CRA measure to eliminate the Bureau of Land Management’s “Wasted Gas (Methane)” rule and another letter asking the senator to reject Pruitt’s nomination to lead the EPA.
We are also working to schedule in-district meeting with Sen. Gardner and a conference call with Representative Polis.
Photo (L to R): Richard Eidlin (ASBC), Andrew Lemley (New Belgium Brewery), Brice LeConte (E2 member & iUnit), Susan Nedell (Rockies Advocate), Seth Henry (Blue Dot Advocates)