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Ritter: West can shape energy future
DENVER (AP) — As Western states weigh in on energy heading into the November election, Colorado’s unique combination of resources makes it a good showcase for what a national policy can look like “going forward,” Gov. Bill Ritter said.
Ritter and other Western governors are preparing a national energy plan that they hope the next president will consider. Members of the Western Governors Association said in a meeting last week that the federal government has failed to take the lead on the issue.
Ritter said the governors committed staff time to help develop a national policy over the next few months.
“We’re talking about a bipartisan group, Republicans and Democrats alike, who believe we can get to some consensus on what we in the West would recommend the next administration should do going forward,” Ritter said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press.
Escalating prices and climate change have catapulted energy to among the top issues this election season, Ritter said. Governors in the West see developing diverse, affordable energy sources as among the solutions.
“One of the things that we believe, that I think all the governors would endorse, is that it’s not up to us to pick winners and losers,” said Ritter, referring to types of energy. “Research and development should ultimately drive the conversation.”
Coal, abundant in parts of the region, will continue to play a role, Ritter said. There will be an emphasis on technology to cut pollution from coal-fired power plants because of the greenhouse gases they emit.
“We believe that nuclear (power) may have some role to play as part of our energy future,” Ritter said. “We believe that we should avail ourselves of every opportunity to produce renewable energy.”
While a big proponent of renewable energy, Ritter said he recognizes that wind and solar aren’t necessarily “24/7” power sources and that other approaches are needed, including conservation and improving energy efficiency.
Ritter said he believes the West, and particularly Colorado, has a chance to help shape the country’s energy future. The region, with its big numbers of unaffiliated voters and changing populations, is viewed as a battleground for the presidential candidates. Denver will host the Democratic National Convention Aug. 25-28.
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