Last month, the Colorado Chamber’s Energy & Environment Council voted to support HB 1040, which would promote funding for innovations in clean energy technology to ensure the state’s infrastructure can meet growing energy demands while maintaining affordability.
The bill would expand certain definitions in state law concerning what constitutes clean energy to include nuclear, which will help the state meet its climate goals and be a leader in clean energy planning. The Chamber’s senior vice president of governmental affairs, Meghan Dollar, testified in support of the legislation today in the House Energy & Environment Committee.
“To meet our clean energy goals by 2040 and 2050, we need to have dispatchable, consistent power sources that work in Colorado’s mountain and high plains environments,” said Dollar. “While wind and solar are strong alternatives to get us to our goals, advancements in battery storage and a need for continuous power will be necessary to meet our climate goals. Nuclear power as a clean energy source is one of several ways to meet these goals.”
Expanding nuclear power as clean energy in Colorado would also have a significant impact on jobs and our overall economy. Dollar pointed to the fact that a typical nuclear power plant employs between 500 and 800 workers in highly paid jobs – much greater than alternative small, low grade reactors. Construction of a new nuclear reactor can also generate high levels of employment, which often can peak at around 9,000 workers.
HB 1040 is a step in the right direction in clean energy for Colorado while also growing our economy, creating jobs, and keeping lights on and homes heated for Coloradans.