{"id":482,"date":"2025-03-22T10:01:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T11:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spanishliteratureintranslation.com\/?p=482"},"modified":"2025-03-27T12:14:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T12:14:22","slug":"bill-ritter-americas-hard-fought-progress-on-clean-energy-is-on-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/spanishliteratureintranslation.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/22\/bill-ritter-americas-hard-fought-progress-on-clean-energy-is-on-the-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Ritter: America\u2019s hard-fought progress on clean energy is on the line"},"content":{"rendered":"

America is at a crossroads. The economic and global energy landscape is shifting rapidly and we must decide whether we will lead or lag in the clean energy transition.<\/p>\n

While China and India surge ahead in clean energy investments and storage advancements, some in Washington want to take us back to the mid-1970s — a time when energy policy was dictated by outdated assumptions and fossil fuel dependence. This is not just about climate change; it\u2019s about maintaining our economic and geopolitical edge in a world increasingly powered by clean energy.<\/p>\n

For decades, Colorado has been a leader in the clean energy transition, proving that smart policy can drive economic growth. As governor, I signed over 50 pieces of legislation related to clean energy and climate. Under the leadership of Governors John Hickenlooper and Jared Polis, our state has continued to embrace wind, solar, storage, and emerging technologies like geothermal. The result? Lower energy costs, greater energy independence, and thousands of good-paying jobs. This is the model for the rest of the country, but the progress we\u2019ve made is now at risk.<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump and his allies are attempting to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)<\/a>, a move that would undermine America\u2019s clean energy advantage. The IRA has been instrumental in attracting more than $129 billion in clean energy factory investments since its passage in 2022, with over 80% of these projects planned for Republican-led congressional districts. Rolling back these incentives would not only harm our national economy but disproportionately impact those very districts that have the most to gain from clean energy job growth and lower electric bills.<\/p>\n

The argument for clean energy is simple: economics. According to Lazard\u2019s 2023 analysis of the unsubsidized levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), both onshore wind and utility-scale solar are now cheaper than coal and competitive with natural gas. This has been the case for wind energy since 2015. Trump\u2019s proposed tariffs on imported steel, however, threaten to drive up costs for the wind industry, further hampering U.S. competitiveness.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, energy demand is increasing.<\/p>\n

Xcel Energy put forward a proposal for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission<\/a> to add 14 gigawatts of additional generation. The PUC will ultimately decide that number for Xcel but as everything becomes electrified, we need to figure out how to meet that demand efficiently and equitably. Investing in new clean energy solutions is supported by the IRA and it is designed to ensure that these investments continue by converting the investment and production tax credits into a long-term clean energy tax credit starting in 2026. This means not only wind and solar but also geothermal, nuclear, and energy storage will benefit.<\/p>\n

But, uncertainty around federal funding is creating unnecessary barriers. The Colorado Energy Office has highlighted the great uncertainty states are facing, with funds obligated but not set. For example, National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funds had all approvals removed by this administration, meaning states like Colorado, which was initially obligated $44 million, have seen that drop to just $8 million. So, EV charging infrastructure is now in question, leaving states scrambling for solutions.<\/p>\n

Similarly, USDA grants for rural cooperatives transitioning to clean energy — such as those for Tri-State, CORE electric cooperative and other cooperatives \u2014 remain frozen, resulting in a potential loss of a billion dollars. The biggest cost burden, however, comes from the potential removal of tax credits. Production, investment, and advanced energy tax credits are essential in keeping electricity costs down for Colorado consumers. Utilities like Xcel and Tri-State had already made commitments relying on these credits. If eliminated, the cost of electricity for Coloradans will undoubtedly rise.<\/p>\n