Tell Colorado Legislators to Seek Responsible Clean Electricity Standards

On May 1, we submitted the below letter to Colorado legislators expressing concern over new Clean Electricity Standards that would drastically impact energy costs and availability across the state. Our members consistently support Colorado’s clean energy goals, but we identified parts of the draft that raises serious concerns about affordability, grid reliability and impacts on the job outlook.

We will continue to collect signatures on this comment below in anticipation of future possible submissions to state leaders, urging them to re-work this policy into one that is best for Colorado's families, small business owners and workers. Thank you to all who have signed!

RE: Clean Electricity Standards

Dear [Official]:

I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 and the Colorado Energy Crossroads Coalition in supporting Colorado legislators' efforts to reach clean energy goals. I also share Local 798's concerns about impacts of the proposed legislation on utility costs, industry jobs, local governance and Grid reliability.

Over the past 10 years, several state policies have been introduced with intention of reaching clean energy goals, and while I support this intention, the implications have been devastating to the local economy, job markets and struggling families trying to keep up with rising utility costs.

Utility costs are a primary concern in particular, as I recognize the burden that my friends and neighbors already feel. Colorado has seen increased regulatory policies and the sharpest increase in electricity demand in decades. Nearly 50% of Colorado residents have said their energy bills have increased, and 34% of households nationwide was even faced with the decision to forego other expenses in order to cover utility costs.

Specific concerns I have with the existing legislation include:

  • Mandates in this legislation could lead to rapid job losses in the oil and gas industry as the focus shifts to alternative energy projects. The number of jobs lost could reach nearly 10,000 by 2030, many of these jobs belonging to Local 798 members.
  • Using intermittent energy sources instead of reliable and abundantly available natural gas would threaten Grid reliability, limiting an otherwise consistent power supply.
  • This will inevitably drive up electricity costs, placing an avoidable burden on households across the state.
  • Colorado's current policies have already driven out critical investment opportunities, which costs the state good union jobs and tax revenue that we could use to fund public services.

As you and your colleagues discuss energy policies, know that your constituents overwhelmingly want you to seek robust solutions that strengthen our Grid without driving up monthly bills. Any plan should be grounded in affordability, reliability and real-world energy demand. Please prioritize a balanced approach that protects Colorado’s climate and consumers. 

Signed,

[Names below]

290 signatures

See who else has taken this action

  • Pitts Lynley

  • Derrel Doyal

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • John Pearman

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Timothy Barnes

  • Kevin Perkins

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Dennis Jackson

  • Juan D. Ruiz

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Gilbert Burch

  • Thomas Michaels

  • Kevin Groves

  • Joel Harris

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Joshua Taxis

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Preston Durham

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Robert Ford

  • Jacob Ikerd

  • Joe Martinez

  • Meri Adrian

  • Juan Hernandez

  • Randy Cordova

  • Sergio Cordova

  • Cecil Courtney

  • Randy Feezel

  • Alex Lopez

  • Jr Schumacher

  • charles lopez

  • lance kindred

  • Brady Schreibvogel

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • michael swiger

  • John Akin

  • Rusty Lopez