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DENVER - Two years after environmentalists battled Xcel Energy over renewable energy in Colorado, the utility giant's one-time adversaries turned out Tuesday to praise the company.
Members of at least three conservation and agriculture groups announced during a news conference that the utility is on a fast-track to meet the bulk of the goals in a voter-approved law on renewable energy eight years early.
"The voters asked for more renewable energy and Xcel Energy stepped up to the plate," said Matt Baker, executive director of Environment Colorado.
Pat Vincent, president and chief executive of Public Service Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy company, said the utility will generate 10 percent of its power from renewable energy sources by the end of next year.
"Nationwide, Xcel Energy is the No. 1 purchaser of wind," Vincent said. "Here in Colorado, our purchase of wind power has and will contribute to the operation of several wind farms around the state, some producing as much as 300 to 500 megawatts by capacity."
Colorado voters became the first in the country to require utilities get more of their power from renewable energy sources when they approved Amendment 37 in 2004. Other states have imposed similar mandates through legislation or regulations.
Colorado's measure didn't come without a fight, though. Xcel Energy, the state's largest utility with 1.3 million customers, along with rural electric cooperatives opposed the initiative, warning that it would increase customers' costs and a requirement that 4 percent of renewable energy come from solar power would be extremely expensive.
Baker said he believes that Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy took voters' wishes to heart and that Richard Kelly, who took over as chairman of the board of directors last December, has provided strong leadership on renewable energy.
Rick Gilliam, co-director of the energy program for Boulder-based Western Resource Advocates, said Xcel Energy's commitment to wind power is the equivalent of taking 600,000 cars off the road.
"Wind energy is an important part of combating global climate change," Gilliam said.
Agriculture groups campaigned for the initiative, saying wind farms and other renewable energy projects can create jobs for rural Colorado.
"Xcel Energy has done more for renewable energy than any other utility in the state," Tony Frank of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union said.
The Colorado law requires the largest utilities to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by 2015.
Baker said the utility now has one of the best rebate programs in the country for customers who install solar power and makes it easy for homeowners to hook up to the electric grid to sell excess power to the utility.
Members of at least three conservation and agriculture groups announced during a news conference that the utility is on a fast-track to meet the bulk of the goals in a voter-approved law on renewable energy eight years early.
"The voters asked for more renewable energy and Xcel Energy stepped up to the plate," said Matt Baker, executive director of Environment Colorado.
Pat Vincent, president and chief executive of Public Service Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy company, said the utility will generate 10 percent of its power from renewable energy sources by the end of next year.
"Nationwide, Xcel Energy is the No. 1 purchaser of wind," Vincent said. "Here in Colorado, our purchase of wind power has and will contribute to the operation of several wind farms around the state, some producing as much as 300 to 500 megawatts by capacity."
Colorado voters became the first in the country to require utilities get more of their power from renewable energy sources when they approved Amendment 37 in 2004. Other states have imposed similar mandates through legislation or regulations.
Colorado's measure didn't come without a fight, though. Xcel Energy, the state's largest utility with 1.3 million customers, along with rural electric cooperatives opposed the initiative, warning that it would increase customers' costs and a requirement that 4 percent of renewable energy come from solar power would be extremely expensive.
Baker said he believes that Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy took voters' wishes to heart and that Richard Kelly, who took over as chairman of the board of directors last December, has provided strong leadership on renewable energy.
Rick Gilliam, co-director of the energy program for Boulder-based Western Resource Advocates, said Xcel Energy's commitment to wind power is the equivalent of taking 600,000 cars off the road.
"Wind energy is an important part of combating global climate change," Gilliam said.
Agriculture groups campaigned for the initiative, saying wind farms and other renewable energy projects can create jobs for rural Colorado.
"Xcel Energy has done more for renewable energy than any other utility in the state," Tony Frank of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union said.
The Colorado law requires the largest utilities to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by 2015.
Baker said the utility now has one of the best rebate programs in the country for customers who install solar power and makes it easy for homeowners to hook up to the electric grid to sell excess power to the utility.
