Renewable Energy Bill Clears Senate On Single Vote

DENVER (AP) - A bill to dramatically raise renewable energy requirements for Colorado cooperative electric associations has cleared the state Senate by a single vote.

Senators voted 18-17 Monday evening after hours of debate. The bill requires the electricity co-ops to get 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, up from 10 percent.

The measure limits consumer rate hikes to pay for the renewable energy upgrade to 2 percent. But Republicans vigorously opposed the bill, saying it would drive up prices for the mostly rural customers. Two Democrats voted against the bill, too.

The bill expands the definition of renewable energy to include coal-mine methane and gas produced from solid waste.

The bill now heads to the House.

LINK: Senate Bill 252

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)