Face The State Staff Report
Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, has proclaimed October as “Energy Awareness Month,” offering Coloradans advice on how to conserve energy around the home. Detractors say such suggestions are short-sighted and accuse Ritter of stalling energy development in Colorado.
RitterFTS File Photo
In partnership with Xcel Energy, Ritter issued a press release Friday publicizing 10 energy saving tips for homeowners “to combat rising energy costs” during the approaching winter months.
Ritter suggests that homeowners lower their thermostats, wash their clothes in cold water, and take steps to weatherize their homes by weather-stripping doors and sealing windows.
“Is he going to ask us to put on a sweater, too?” Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, asked, referencing when Jimmy Carter asked Americans to turn down the heat and put on sweaters to combat the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s.
Republicans and energy producers have repeatedly criticized Ritter in the last several months for fostering a hostile environment toward energy production.
Kathy Hall, the Western Slope representative for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, suggested Ritter should stop trying to hinder the development of traditional sources of energy.
“The truth is to get prices down there has to be greater supply than demand,” she said. “So he thinks it’s all going to be OK if we just insulate our windows, huh?”
Recently Ritter unsuccessfully attempted to stall development on the energy-rich Roan Plateau, urged the federal government to keep its moratorium on oil-shale development, and is currently leading the effort to promote Amendment 58, which would raise taxes for oil and gas companies.
McNulty says he’s glad Ritter acknowledges how much high energy prices affect average consumers, but says the suggestions miss the point.
“I appreciate the fact the governor is bringing attention to an issue that is affecting so many Coloradans,” McNulty said. “But this shows a fundamental lack of understanding in this crisis.”
In response, Ritter says the tips represent only a piece of his overall energy policy and that his administration is in fact doing all it can to increase oil and gas production in the state.
“Colorado absolutely is increasing supply. In 1999, the state issued 1,000 new oil-and-gas drilling permits. This year, we’ll end up issuing between 7,000 and 8,000,” said Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer. “We’re issuing more than 760 permits a month, we have a record number of drilling rigs now operating in the state and we are one of just a few net-energy-exporting states.”
Hall does not agree that Ritter is doing all he can to increase oil and gas development, however, and says she thinks his administration could definitely do more to alleviate high gas prices for consumers. She pointed to his backing of Amendment 58 and his attempt to stall development of the Roan Plateau.
"When he does everything he can to stop the flow of gas, costs have no where to go but up," Hall said.