Gov. Jared Polis today announced new actions to expand Colorado’s nation-leading progress on saving people money on renewable energy and improve lower-cost clean energy access for people across the state. This includes a new Colorado Energy Savings Navigator, which will help Coloradans determine what tax credits they qualify for to save money on clean energy, as well as an executive action from Gov. Polis to ensure state agencies prioritize renewable energy projects that save money and drive Colorado’s economy.
“Today we are taking action to ensure that Coloradans can easily access clean energy savings, especially ones that expire soon. We continue to do all we can to make people aware of how you can reduce costs on energy bills and keep money in your pocket. That’s what the launch of this new tool and executive action are all about,” said Gov. Polis.
New federal policies are projected to increase average Colorado household energy costs by as much as $500 per year by 2035.
Today’s actions will mitigate these potential harms and help maintain Colorado’s leadership in delivering clean, affordable energy and helping Coloradans save money and provide greater certainty to businesses investing in Colorado.
Gov. Polis announced that he will be directing state agencies to streamline and accelerate the development of eligible clean energy projects to provide reliable, affordable energy. This will ensure expedited and cost-effective deployment of new clean energy infrastructure to support Colorado’s growing economy, maximize the utilization of federal resources to reduce the costs, and enable Colorado energy consumers to invest in energy-saving technologies in time to access federal resources.
This includes strategies to ensure that qualifying, cost-effective renewable energy generation starts construction or is placed in service as quickly as possible, especially to receive federal tax credits and avoid tariff uncertainty. That will include leveraging existing PUC authorities while also ensuring decisions are issued in a timely manner to ensure utilities can continue moving forward with their projects, which means economic investment and jobs in Colorado.
States across the country are competing to accelerate the deployment of affordable renewable energy resources, and today’s action augments Colorado’s nation-leading work opening up Colorado for new energy investments. These efforts will improve Colorado’s air quality, advance economic competitiveness, and unlock billions in new investment in Colorado communities and businesses.
“This online portal is a win for anyone looking to cut down on energy waste, save money or reduce pollution,” said CoPIRG Foundation Advocate Kirsten Schatz. “Coloradans need accurate information about the many rebates, tax credits and other incentives available for clean energy and energy efficiency home improvements. We’re excited that Gov. Polis has created a one-stop shop for Coloradans to benefit from available resources.”
The governor also launched the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator (CESN), a new, easy-to-use digital tool that connects Coloradans to more than 600 energy rebates and 18 different energy bill assistance programs including federal tax credits expiring later this year. The CESN tool was developed by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Colorado Digital Service (CDS), the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Gary Community Ventures/MyFriendBen and Rewiring America, with grant funding from the Statewide Internet Portal Authority, to provide Coloradans with a one-stop resource to access programs that save money and reduce energy bills. This tool is part of the governor’s broader Operational Agenda and, in particular, his vision to build a digital experience that helps Coloradans easily access what they need when they need it, regardless of what State agency or program is responsible.
“As Washington retreats from clean energy leadership and energy costs rise nationwide, Gov. Polis is stepping up to protect Colorado’s energy future,” said Wil Gehl, InterMountain West senior manager for SEIA. “This executive direction fast-tracks affordable, reliable clean energy in Colorado by removing local barriers, streamlining permitting, accelerating interconnection and advancing utility-scale procurement. These steps will save Coloradans billions of dollars in avoided energy costs while creating good local jobs and strengthening grid reliability.”
Whether renting or owning, Coloradans can quickly discover what programs and incentives they may be eligible for by visiting the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator at https://puc.colorado.gov/energy-savings.
News item from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC)