New Colorado sustainability goals will cut costs, reduce pollution

Governor Polis signed an Executive Order on Tuesday that set goals through 2034 for state agencies to ramp up efficiencies in buildings and fleets, which will cut costs and reduce pollution.

I was honored to speak at the event.

One thing is clear – the cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy we don’t need to use. And that’s what sustainability is all about – ramping up efficiency.

Technology has come a long way, and with it, our ability to use energy and water more efficiently. It also provides new options, like electric vehicles, which can cut maintenance costs and are cheaper to fuel than a gas vehicle.

The Governor’s sustainability order, which calls for reducing energy use in buildings by 20%, reducing water consumption in state agencies by 20% and ramping up electric vehicles in state fleets, not only will state taxpayers money but will also tackle our state’s perennial air pollution problem.

For example, according to the Office of Sustainability, the Colorado Energy Performance Contract program has already resulted in $41 million in costs savings from state facilities by reducing energy use by 292 million kWh. The state has also reduced the consumption of gas and diesel fuel by 1,132,316 gallons in the last decade by converting some vehicles to electric.

With this Executive Order, I’m glad to see Colorado’s agencies will continue to lead the way in the years to come when it comes to ramping up proven energy efficiency strategies.