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• Mar 16, 2007 10:47 am US/Mountain
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  Sen Gives Initial Backing To Renewable Energy Bill

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Sen Gives Initial Backing To Renewable Energy Bill

DENVER (AP) ― Large utilities would have to double the amount of energy they're getting from renewable sources under a measure given initial approval by the Senate on Thursday.

The measure (House Bill 1281) would require large utilities like Xcel Energy and Aquila to get at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and the sun by 2020.

That's twice as much as what they're required to do under Amendment 37, passed by voters in 2004.

Rural electric cooperatives and all but the smallest municipal utilities would have to get to 10 percent by then.

Republicans tried but failed to amend the bill to allow more hydroelectric power to count toward those requirements.

If the bill passes a second vote, it would next go to Gov. Bill Ritter. Ritter has made developing more renewable energy a key part of his agenda and supports the measure.

(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)