Colorado: Gov. Polis Announces New Actions for Coloradans to Access Money-Saving Clean Energy Resources and Accelerate Clean Energy Infrastructure

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DENVER - Governor Polis, joined by Public Utilities Commission Director Rebecca While, Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor, Conservation Colorado Executive Director Kelly Nordini, Kristen Schatz with COPIRG and homeowner Mark Zammuto, 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 Governor 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 Governor Jared 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.

Governor 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.

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"Coloradans know that expanding clean energy and good jobs is a no-brainer. The time to act is now — whether it's buying an EV or installing a heat pump — while incentives are in place. This Executive Action will give people tools they need to save money on energy and accelerate clean energy deployment. Colorado is stepping up!" said Conservation Colorado CEO Kelly Nordini.

"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 Governor Polis has created a one-stop shop for Coloradans to benefit from available resources. It also makes sense that Colorado should maximize federal tax credits now in order to minimize the cost of wind and solar projects that we were already going to build. Taken together, these actions will help cut costs on utility bills and save Coloradans money when they choose energy-saving technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps or better insulation for their homes."

"Colorado is showing true leadership and once again, Governor Polis is stepping up to meet the moment,"
said Emilie Olson, Colorado lead at the national business association Advanced Energy United. "This kind of swift executive action is exactly what's needed in light of the devastating impacts of federal rollbacks from H.R. 1. It sends a clear signal that Colorado will move forward in spite of Washington, D.C, and that the state is all in on investing in clean energy, protecting families from higher energy bills, and giving businesses the certainty they need to keep investing in and building the clean energy future Colorado has been a beacon for. We urge other Governors to follow this example in marshaling a whole-of-government response and doing what is in their power to maintain American competitiveness in the clean energy industry."

The Governor was also proud to launch 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) y, 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.

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"The PUC is ready to meet the urgency of the moment and help keep energy affordable for ratepayers.. The CESN tool was developed by multiple state agencies, to offer a one stop solution to connect Coloradans with the benefits that can save them money and energy. While there are many programs out there to reduce bills, it can take hours of searching to find them which is likely why only 20% of eligible Coloradans enroll in bill assistance programs. The CESN tool was developed to change that," said Public Utilities Director Rebecca White.

"We are invested in making innovative, cost-saving technologies such as electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and heat pumps accessible to all Coloradans through various state, utility, and other incentives," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "But our programs are only as good as the number of Coloradans who use them. The Colorado Energy Savings Navigator tool will help Coloradans identify which opportunities may be available to them to save money on energy costs, improve home comfort and safety, and be part of Colorado's efforts to achieve net-zero pollution by 2050."

"CDS builds digital tools that center on users and deliver real value for Coloradans—the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator is a perfect example. It transforms the complex process of finding energy rebates and incentives into something simple, straightforward, and accessible to everyone,"
said Colorado Digital Services Director Sarah Tuneberg.

"Colorado is helping lead the way in making clean energy upgrades more accessible and affordable for households across the state," said Rewiring America's Sr. Manager of Western Regional Policy, Rebecca Curry. "By connecting households with federal and state programs, Colorado is helping more people save money on their energy bills, improve home comfort, and take meaningful action on climate. With some federal incentives set to phase out or decline in the coming years, a tool like this is arriving at a pivotal moment and gives households the chance to maximize their savings while these programs are still available."

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.

About the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state. Learn more at https://puc.colorado.gov/

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