February 8, 2011

The Honorable State Senators
State Capitol Bldg.
200 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO    80203

Dear Senator:

RE: SB11-071 – Concerning Measures to Reduce Energy Costs

As small business owners, we would like to take this opportunity to voice our support of SB-071.    We believe that the legislature’s priority today should be improving Colorado’s economy with the focus on creating jobs.  This bill will do this in several ways.

First, this bill will roll back the requirement that Xcel go from a 10% renewable energy standard up to a 20% standard within 5 years and up to 30% within 10 years; and, it will maintain the current 10% standard.  This will significantly slow down the current energy rate increases, which over the last 6 years have been double the inflation rate (or 21% in the last 6 years – per a 2/5/11 Denver Post article).  These rate increases (collected by Minnesota-based Xcel) are hurting both Colorado homeowners and businesses.  Plus, some Colorado businesses are afraid to expand since energy costs are projected (under current law) “to increase another 20% as new power plants, wind farms and transmission lines are added . . .” (per the Denver Post article).

Second, this bill will help rural customers by restoring the exemption to these renewable standards for utilities serving less than 40,000 customers.
Lastly, this bill is likely to prevent further job loses in one of Colorado’s major industries, coal-mining.

Thank you in advance for your support of SB-071.

Respectfully,

Christine Burtt, Chairman

cc:     Board of CRBC
Membership of CRBC