Colorado First State to Pass Labor-Backed Electrification Policy
Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently signed SB21-246, making the Centennial State the first in the nation to pass an electrification policy with support from organized labor. The Colorado BlueGreen Alliance-backed legislation will help Coloradans upgrade to efficient electric appliances, furnaces, and water heaters that keep their bills low and air clean.
The Colorado BlueGreen Alliance unites 20+ labor unions and environmental organizations committed to creating clean energy jobs and preserving a healthy and livable climate. SB21-246, which was sponsored by Senator Stephen Fenberg and Representatives Alex Valdez and Meg Froelich, works toward these goals in the following three key ways:
- Saving money. SB21-246 will direct utilities to create incentives for households and businesses to upgrade to efficient electric appliances that reduce their bills — especially critical support for low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes.
- Reducing air pollution. By choosing to upgrade their appliances, households and businesses can eliminate a major source of indoor air pollution that is harmful to children, the elderly, and people with asthma.
- Creating jobs: When households and businesses take advantage of these new incentives, they will support local family-sustaining jobs at a time when the economy needs them.
“The transition to pollution-free buildings is a once-in-a-generation job creation opportunity for our members,” says IBEW Local 68 Business Manager Jeremy Ross. “As businesses and industry take advantage of new rebates and incentives to upgrade to modern and clean electric systems, they create demand for local, qualified electrical workers.”
Find out more information about this legislation here.
