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U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.)
SUMMIT COUNTY — U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) will make a stop in Summit County to discuss energy policy on the heels of the passage of the first national energy legislation in more than a decade.
President George Bush signed the new law on Aug. 8, touting it as an important step toward American independence from foreign oil.
“(Salazar) wants to help explain the legislation and what it means for everyone in Colorado,” said Jen Clanahan, spokesperson for the senator. “Because it’s very lengthy, the average person doesn’t have the time to read the whole document.”
Tonight’s forum at the County Commons is part of the senator’s statewide tour to solicit feedback on energy and alternative sources, such as solar, wind and biodiesel. He’ll also outline future steps he believes the country should take to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve national security.
Salazar voted for the national energy bill and, as a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, was involved in the bill’s journey through Congress.
“He feels this bill is a good first step, but he knows there is still work to be done. And he wants feedback from his constituents on what they would like to see,” Clanahan said.
Environmentalists have blasted the bill, saying it funnels billions of taxpayer dollars to energy companies while weakening environmental protections for coastlines, public lands and water supplies.
“It’s a disaster — it does nothing for ordinary Americans paying their energy bills and filling their tanks,” said Stephanie Bonin, energy advocate for Environment Colorado. “We’re hoping on this tour the Senator will see the support in Colorado for renewable energy and for looking at energy in a way that’s different from the status quo, which rewards big oil and dirty coal.”
According to Clanahan, Salazar had hoped the new national law would contain stronger standards for renewable energy, like the voter-approved Colorado Amendment 37, which requires 10 percent of the state’s energy supply to be from renewable sources by 2015.
Julie Sutor can be reached at (970) 668-3998 ext. 203 or jsutor@summitdaily.com.
President George Bush signed the new law on Aug. 8, touting it as an important step toward American independence from foreign oil.
“(Salazar) wants to help explain the legislation and what it means for everyone in Colorado,” said Jen Clanahan, spokesperson for the senator. “Because it’s very lengthy, the average person doesn’t have the time to read the whole document.”
Tonight’s forum at the County Commons is part of the senator’s statewide tour to solicit feedback on energy and alternative sources, such as solar, wind and biodiesel. He’ll also outline future steps he believes the country should take to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve national security.
Salazar voted for the national energy bill and, as a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, was involved in the bill’s journey through Congress.
“He feels this bill is a good first step, but he knows there is still work to be done. And he wants feedback from his constituents on what they would like to see,” Clanahan said.
Environmentalists have blasted the bill, saying it funnels billions of taxpayer dollars to energy companies while weakening environmental protections for coastlines, public lands and water supplies.
“It’s a disaster — it does nothing for ordinary Americans paying their energy bills and filling their tanks,” said Stephanie Bonin, energy advocate for Environment Colorado. “We’re hoping on this tour the Senator will see the support in Colorado for renewable energy and for looking at energy in a way that’s different from the status quo, which rewards big oil and dirty coal.”
According to Clanahan, Salazar had hoped the new national law would contain stronger standards for renewable energy, like the voter-approved Colorado Amendment 37, which requires 10 percent of the state’s energy supply to be from renewable sources by 2015.
Julie Sutor can be reached at (970) 668-3998 ext. 203 or jsutor@summitdaily.com.
Public forum: “Energy Independence — Securing America’s Future”
Who: U.S. Senator Ken SalazarWhen: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: Buffalo Mountain Room, County Commons
