Renewable Energy makes ballot in Colorado

After four years of trying supporters of renewable energy have got their initiative on November's ballot.

The initiative proposes that the state's seven largest electricity providers provide a minimum of 10% of their electricity from renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass-based power & mirco hydroelectric plants) by 2015. At the moment about 2% of Colorado's electricity comes from renewable sources.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a study which estimates that a 20% renewable-energy requirement would benefit Colorado through lower energy costs, more jobs, capital investment and money to providers of renewable energy in rural areas. The group is working to get a national renewable energy requirement of 20% by 2020.

Sixteen states now have renewable-energy standards, if successful Colorado would be the first to get one through a ballot initiative.