Gov. Ritter Kicks off WGA Energy Efficient Buildings Workshop; 30 % Improvement Sought for Homes, Public Buildings (7/17/07)

on 17 July 2007.

Gov. Ritter Kicks off WGA Energy Efficient Buildings Workshop;
30 % Improvement Sought for Homes, Public Buildings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2007
Contact: Rich Halvey 303-623-9378 ext. 111

DENVER - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter today kicked-off the Western Governors' Association Energy Efficient Buildings Workshop calling conservation and efficiency the richest sources of new energy.

The cheapest watt of electricity is the watt that isn't consumed at all. It's called the negawatt, Ritter said. This is true whether we're talking about compact fluorescent lightbulbs, more efficient use of passive solar, or improved insulation and windows.

Nearly 150 workshop attendees will work collaboratively through tomorrow to develop recommendations for how states and communities can achieve at least a 30 percent improvement over the current International Energy Efficiency Codes. They represent policymakers and lawmakers from all levels of government, public utility commissions, utilities, builders and public interest organizations.

Ritter said the New Energy Economy requires mixing renewables with our traditional energy economy of coal, natural gas and oil, but energy efficiency is the first, best strategy in addressing climate change. He noted that public attitudes about the need to find solutions to climate change have shifted dramatically in the past two years.

In politics, it's called a seismic shift, so it's up to you do your work on energy efficiency, the governor said.

WGA Executive Director Pam Inmann said while many cities and states are already adopting progressive and innovative building programs, we need to find ways of making more happen sooner.

We especially need to identify incentives that will accelerate changes, she said. We need to go from having a mountain of potential to having a mountain of energy efficiency gains.

The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

# # # # #