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Intense Lobbying Campaign Targets Energy Bill

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 09:12:21 AM MST

We're hearing stories about rather intense pressure being exerted on state legislative Democrats in opposition to what looks to us anyway (tell us if we're wrong) like a routine renewable energy bill.

Senate Bill 051, introduced by Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy, would facilitate more access to existing renewable energy project financing programs created by Amendment 37, with an eye toward increased access to financing by consumers and small business. The biggest fiscal impact we see from our read is an increased allocation of state money as collateral for project financing--some risk would be inherent to this, of course, but defaults on this kind of project remain low in Colorado compared to other areas of the nation from what we're told.

But it appears that Xcel Energy, other energy companies and co-ops in the state, and banks are very unhappy about this bill. Lobbyists have reportedly been working overtime to kill it--Xcel has retained former chief of staff for Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, the notoriously hard-nosed Mary Alice Mandarich to spearhead the campaign against the bill. Banks are presumably in opposition because the bill would expand allowable financiers to include credit unions.

There are a lot of bills out there, some more benign than others, some that pass quietly and some that make a very large crater. This one seems pretty uncontroversial; it's come onto our radar mostly because of this unexpectedly ferocious industry opposition. More often than not, that tells a story all by itself.

Colorado Pols :: Intense Lobbying Campaign Targets Energy Bill

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Intense Lobbying Campaign Targets Energy Bill | 10 comments

Way to go Joan!

Guess Jared was the right pick after all.

"[A]ll Republicans/conservatives/tea parties have been proven wrong. Everybody knows this." BJWilson83, Republican/conservative/tea partier

"The fossil record utterly refutes evolution." BJWilson83, graduate student

by: ClubTwitty @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 10:38:59 AM CST

by: you @ soon

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Joan appears to have nothing to do with this ... Donkey Kong

Now calling out Union Bosses for using forced union dues to hammer a primary opponent via vile 527 tactics ... that would be a reason ...

by: Libertad @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 10:58:21 AM CST

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by: you @ soon

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It pains me to say this Tadpole

but I am wrong and misread the post. Apologies (but I still think Jared was the better choice).

"[A]ll Republicans/conservatives/tea parties have been proven wrong. Everybody knows this." BJWilson83, Republican/conservative/tea partier

"The fossil record utterly refutes evolution." BJWilson83, graduate student

by: ClubTwitty @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 11:01:50 AM CST

[ Parent ]

if the reports are true

then the opposition is strange, especially if it is coordinated across a few different categories of players, as you are saying. Mostly what I see here is two industries trying to stifle competition. Bank opposition is obvious, they don't want to compete with CU's. Xcel's opposition will be to this section in the bill's summary:

Creates a "Renewable Energy Suppliers Act", substantially similar to the existing "Geothermal Heat Suppliers Act", to authorize and encourage the installation of renewable energy generation equipment on property owned by others, in exchange for future purchases of energy under power purchase agreements, assignments of utility rebates under the existing renewable energy standard statute, or both.

This allows a lot of new players into a market that Xcel currently has more or less cornered.

At any rate, if the opposition pressure is true and if Mary Alice is getting paid for it, then welcome to the new politics, same as the old politics.

In fact, I just registered
www.veryliberalagitatedpissedoffpeoplewithnoorganization.com
-Laughing Boy

by: indipol @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 10:56:10 AM CST

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I thought that bill

was mainly about financing options for consumers who were installing wind and solar. This, obviously, would cut down on revenue for Xcel, and the poster is right that the banks don't like the credit union option.

by: sharktacos @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 12:21:40 PM CST

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If we really want to solve this energy and environmental problem

we need to bust open the market place. Xcel has been doing good work, but they effectively have a monopoly that stifles innovation and entrepreneurship. I believe their future prosperity should be bet on "managing" the infrastructure, demand side management, etc..and let the marketplace bring in the electrons from every nook and cranny in Colorado.

As far as the banks v. credit unions...I don't believe any credit unions are in need of, or the beneficiaries of, TARP $$. Stop the whining...everybody gets a leg up somewhere, somehow, in the system.

by: WritterWrocks @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 13:02:29 PM CST

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Same old song from the usual suspects (and the best-paid lobbyists):

Legislation and/or regulation that limits me is bad. That which helps me and/or hurts my competition is good.

by: gaf @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 17:32:09 PM CST

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Yeah

lets keep that "free market" thing open for sure, but please just make sure the deck is stacked in my favor...

" And there are no Christian terrorists."

The Beej, circa 8/26/2010

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 17:37:48 PM CST

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Carroll and Levy are great on this issue

I wish them all the best on this bill. It's ironic that two "D's" are pushing for a more market-oriented approach that will lead to job creation, increased property values, individuals being empowered to make decisions based on market factors -- while the R's so far seem to be silent on the issue. I thought Brophy and Gardner were the party of new ideas? I'm guessing the old guard in the REA community has them muzzled.

You know Carroll and Levy are on to something really good when Xcel has to hire someone from the Dem camp to kill it.

This is a great opportunity for the Republicans to really show they mean it when they say they will support good ideas...and this bill is a great place to start.

by: WritterWrocks @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 18:03:44 PM CST

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Redundant statement

"Carroll and Levy" by definition means "are great on ..."

Tom Tancredo Interview

by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 18:11:45 PM CST

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