Report: New power lines key to Colo. CO2 goals

Dec 7, 2009 - The Associated Press

A new report says existing state policies will get Colorado to about only 40 percent of the way to its carbon-reduction goals and that new, well-planned transmission lines are key to success.

The report by the Governor's Energy Office says the current transmission system can't deliver the kind and amount of power needed to meet Gov. Bill Ritter's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. His climate action plan calls for cutting emissions 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

The federally funded report says there's a lack of capacity on the high-voltage transmission lines where Colorado's best renewable energy resources are found.

The report also says boosting natural gas production is crucial because gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal.