“My Administration is proactively working with the private sector to expand our electricity supplies in an environmentally-friendly way, in order to mitigate electricity shortages and avoid the severe problems we see in other states.”

-Governor Owens

Colorado is home to vast natural resources.  Increasingly, our useful resources can be tapped while still preserving our beautiful resources.

In 2000, Americans watched California deal with blackouts and energy shortages because demand outstripped supply.  And that winter, unusual circumstances conspired to push heating and electrical costs sky-high.  Gov. Owens continued to pursue, as he had since he took office, the harnessing of Colorado's energy reserves to support a 21st century high-tech economy. And while he addressed supply needs, he also offered temporary assistance to Colorado's most needy homeowners so they could afford to heat their homes in the deep of winter.

Gov. Owens also actively pursues conservation measures, through his Office of Energy Management and Conservation, so that available energy is not wasted for lack of efficiency.

Gov. Owens has:

·        Supported and signed legislation ensuring power plants and transmission lines will be sited without the delays that prevented similar construction and aggravated blackouts in California.

·        Provided $10 million in heating aid to low-income families to help with past increases in utility bills.

·        Implemented energy-saving initiatives in government buildings through Rebuild Colorado, realizing nearly $2 million in energy savings. 

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