Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

DENVER—A bill that would dramatically raise renewable energy requirements for Colorado’s rural cooperative electric associations has cleared a hurdle in the state House.

The bill requires the electricity co-ops to get 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, up from 10 percent. The measure previously passed the Senate by a single vote, despite opposition from all Republicans and two Democrats.

The measure limits consumer rate hikes to pay for the renewable energy upgrade to 2 percent. But the co-ops affected warn it would drive up prices for mostly rural customers.

The bill also expands the definition of renewable energy to include coal-mine methane and gas produced from solid waste.

The bill passed a House committee 8-5 Wednesday.