Awards

Gov. Ritter Receives Award at 2015 National Clean Energy Summit as President Obama Addresses Clean Energy Investment

At the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, NV this past Monday, August 24, President Obama gave a keynote address that emphasized his support of federal investment in renewable energy.  Prior to the President’s address that evening, former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, now current Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University (the Center) was awarded The Harry Reid Clean Energy Leadership Award for his exemplary work in leading the clean energy economy.  This award was presented by the Clean Energy Project, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to powering the clean energy economy through education and engagement with policy leaders, business leaders, community leaders and citizens on the economic benefits of fully developing a clean energy economy.

The National Clean Energy Summit is a dynamic summit that has become one of the country’s most visible and influential gatherings of leaders and top policymakers. The summit has generated ideas vital to the transformation to a clean energy economy. This year’s National Clean Energy Summit focused on Powering Progress and Gov. Ritter, in addition to accepting his award, participated in a panel addressing Energy in American Life.

Land, Air, Water, and Wine Event Supports Western Resource Advocates
September 15th, 2015   Click here for link

Former Colorado Governor Ritter was presented the Kelley Green Conservation Leadership Award by Dick Kelly, retired Chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy. Governor Ritter was recognized for his outstanding leadership in advancing clean energy through legislation, Executive Orders and programs. During his Governorship, he signed 57 new energy bills into law. In 2007, he issued an Executive Order directing Colorado’s state government to reduce overall energy consumption by 20% and petroleum use by state vehicles by 25% by 2012. He signed into law a 30% Renewable Portfolio Standard and helped create the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act, resulting in the retirement of several coal-fired power plant units. In fact, the award was presented at the winery which has a view of the Cherokee Generating Station, a coal-fired unit retired thanks to the Act. Currently, Governor Ritter is the founder and director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. His leadership in the West, and now throughout the country, shines in his advancement of clean air, clean jobs, and carbon pollution reductions.