As the general manager of Mountain View Electric Association, I am very concerned about a measure that will be presented to Colorado voters in the November election. If passed, Amendment 37 – a ballot initiative that calls for 10 percent of Colorado’s electricity to be generated from renewable resources by 2015 – will make a significant financial impact on the state’s electric utilities and, ultimately, their consumers.If passed, Amendment 37 would result in the state’s two largest energy providers – of which our system depends on electric services – incurring a combined, increased cost of $2 billion over the next 20 years. These costs, unfortunately, would be passed on to you, the ratepayer. The measure also requires that a specific amount of renewable resources be derived from solar – by far the most expensive source of green power.While we wholeheartedly support renewable energy, we do not advocate voting for an initiative that will generate higher end-use consumer costs, create financial pressures on electric utilities and raise too many questions. Our commitment is to provide Mountain View Electric Association members with reliable, cost-effective electricity. This initiative will make that more difficult and expensive. I encourage Coloradoans to vote no on Amendment 37 in November.Jim HerronGeneral Manager, Mountain View Electric Association
