Oil spills, smog, and global warming are just a few of the deadly consequences of continuing to rely on fossil fuels to power today’s globally integrated economy.  Turn on any news channel and you’ll see evidence of these effects, most noticeably the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which has been leaking up to 210,000 gallons of oil a day into the fragile Gulf coast since late April.

However, if states such as Colorado and California have their way, we won’t be seeing too many more oil spills in our future.  That’s because both states are implementing aggressive renewable energy goals in order to prevent their economies from being dependent on unsustainable fuel sources.

These efforts are being mirrored by some in the business community, such as Linhart PR’s client, WhiteWave Foods, which offsets its energy by purchasing renewable energy credits from the environmental non-profit, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF).  Begun in 2003, the energy saved through this partnership is equivalent to eliminating 15,000 tons of Greenhouse gas emissions, removing 22,000 cars off the road, or planting 28,000 trees each year.

While individual businesses can each do their part, initiatives implemented state-wide can also have impactful, long-lasting effects.  In Colorado, this has come via House Bill 1001, which was signed by Governor Bill Ritter on March 23, 2010, mandating that the state’s largest utility providers generate 30 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020 (this is also known as increasing the state’s renewable portfolio standard).  Colorado’s renewable energy goals are second only to California, which sets the bar at 33 percent.  Yet there is still no national renewable energy goal, despite years of lobbying from the clean technology industry.

A 30 percent renewable portfolio standard is possible in Colorado because of our plethora of renewable energy sources including geothermal, wind, solar and biomass.  We also have a well-trained workforce, a collaborative hub of research and development via the National Renewable Energy Lab, a variety of small and large businesses that are similarly committed to sustainable business practices, and an ever-alert and increasingly vocal public.

So what does all this translate to?  According to Governor Bill Ritter’s Climate Advisor, Alice Madden , who spoke at last week’s “New Energy Economy Legislative Update:”

• Our state government buildings are now 80 percent more energy-efficient and 80 percent of our state agencies have energy reduction measures currently in place.
• Colorado is on track to implement the 1^st state-wide PACE (property assessed clean energy) bond program, which will provide long-term bonds for renewable energy household incentives.
• The state attracted over $458 million in clean tech venture capital investments in 2008 alone, which created 17,000 jobs and 1,700 new businesses.  This is estimated to create an additional 28,000 jobs by the end of 2010.
• 900 megawatts of coal are going to be retired along the Front Range and replaced with either natural gas or other low-emitting renewable energy sources later this year.
• Xcel Energy, the utility company that serves the Denver metro area, is attempting to become the number one producer of wind power in the country.  Xcel has been leading this charge since it realized that federal tax credits make wind power affordable, rivaling natural gas prices nationwide.

However, none of these efforts came easily, nor are they devoid of economic and employment trade-offs.  The shift from traditional to renewable sources automatically translates to job losses in traditional energy and job gains in renewable energy.  Furthermore, the gap is never seamless, and right now training and education are struggling to keep pace with these emerging industries.  And just because new industries are creating jobs, does not mean that workers in traditional energy will be able to transition their skills to wind, solar, geothermal or biomass.

In addition, the renewable energy industries still require massive federal and state funding in order to compete with the established (and highly profitable) oil and coal industries.  This explains why the majority of our energy continues to come from these sources, which are still cheaper and more efficient than renewables.  Eventually, this won’t be necessary, but for the foreseeable future, renewables will require additional funding in order to compete, which puts unpopular pressure on taxpayers and politicians.

So while it easy for us to get discouraged by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, it is also important to keep perspective on what has, and continues to be accomplished in moving our state and businesses toward more sustainable energy sources.  The road ahead will not be easy, yet it is imperative that we continue to elevate the smart business practices that sustain our environment, as well as support Colorado’s efforts to become the nation’s and the world’s renewable energy leader.  The choice is clear and the time is now because after all, there is no Planet B.