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Gov. Bill Ritter criticized the final environmental impact statement issued by the U.S. Department of Interior in connection with proposed oil shale development in the state today, saying the program is inconsistent with Colorado's commitment to renewable energy and that the Bush Administration is not cooperating with his administration.
"The Bush Administration is engaging in last-minute maneuvering in its waning days rather than developing a comprehensive, meaningful and responsible long-term energy policy for America’s future," Ritter said. "Finalizing an Environmental Impact Statement without any clear understanding of the environmental, community, economic and energy impacts of commercial-scale oil shale development is irresponsible, short-sighted and premature."
Ritter emphasized that his administration is not opposed to all energy development.
“As the national debate over America’s energy future continues, we must be clear that Colorado is committed to helping meet America’s energy needs," Ritter said. "We are issuing about 35 new oil and gas drilling permits a day. We are building a New Energy Economy that is bringing thousands of new jobs to Colorado. And our research institutions are developing cutting-edge, new energy technologies."
“But with the Department of Interior’s action today, the federal government has once again failed to act as a responsible partner for Colorado. This does nothing to address gas prices at the pump today and has the potential to do much more harm than good.”
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Ritter Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Slain Prosecutor
Gov. Bill Ritter today ordered U.S. and Colorado flags lowered to half-staff across the state on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, to honor the death of prosecutor Sean May.
May’s funeral is set for 11 a.m. Thursday in the Temple Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
May, 37, was killed Aug. 27 outside his Denver home. He was a chief trial deputy in the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which serves Adams and Broomfield counties. He worked for the DA’s Office for seven years.
His wife, Corin, is pregnant with their first child. Donations may be made to the Sean May Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.
May’s funeral is set for 11 a.m. Thursday in the Temple Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
May, 37, was killed Aug. 27 outside his Denver home. He was a chief trial deputy in the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which serves Adams and Broomfield counties. He worked for the DA’s Office for seven years.
His wife, Corin, is pregnant with their first child. Donations may be made to the Sean May Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
AG Sues U.S. Department of Defense on Behalf of DPHE
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today filed suit in U.S. District Court requesting the court require the U.S. Department of Defense, its Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment Program and the Department of the Army to treat and destroy chemical weapons stored at the Pueblo Chemical Depot by Dec. 31, 2017.
The lawsuit comes after the respondents notified the state of their intention to appeal an Administrative Order issued by the state on June 17, 2008.
The lawsuit requests the court grant the same remedies as were indicated in the order. The state’s order called for the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile by Dec. 31, 2017, four years earlier than the Department of Defense’s current proposed date of Dec. 31, 2021. The order also required that secondary waste currently stored under a separate permit be treated and destroyed by the same date of Dec. 31, 2017.
“Given recurring delays by the Department of Defense for completing treatment and destruction of these wastes, the division is seeking an enforceable schedule for their timely treatment," Gary Baughman, director of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division at the state Department of Public Health and Environment,
said. "We believe the 2017 deadline is more than reasonable to complete treatment and
destruction of the chemical weapons.”
The order and the lawsuit both require the military to file a chemical waste treatment plan within 60 days of the effective date of the final decision.
This plan will describe the methods to be used to treat and destroy all hazardous waste weapons and other agent wastes at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.
A chemical waste treatment plan also requires a complete project schedule depicting the tasks required for the destruction of the wastes by Dec. 31, 2017. Some of these tasks then could be designated by DPHE as enforceable milestones in the waste treatment plan.
The chemical weapons contain mustard agent, an acutely toxic hazardous waste causing severe skin and lung inflammation, which is known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Long-term storage of hazardous waste is prohibited under state hazardous waste regulations, except when additional quantities of the waste are required to facilitate proper treatment or when an alternate schedule for its treatment is in place under a compliance order.
According to the compliance order, the mustard agent-filled weapons are not being stored for the purpose of accumulating adequate quantities for appropriate treatment, as the Pueblo Chemical Depot currently stores hundreds of thousands of waste chemical weapons at the site.
In 2002, the Department of Defense decided to destroy weapons at the Pueblo Depot by chemically neutralizing the mustard agent and then biologically treating the resulting waste. A contractor was selected to design and build the facility, the first phase of Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant permitting was completed, and construction of the plant was scheduled to begin. Under the initial design and operating plans for the facility, destruction of the chemical weapons
would have been completed by April 29, 2012.
However, in the fall of 2004 the Department of Defense terminated the design and construction plans for the facility and ordered that the facility be redesigned to meet a lower cost estimate. The contractor subsequently redesigned the facility to the lower cost estimate in 2005 and provided the Department of Defense with an implementation schedule to complete weapons destruction in nine years.
Despite previous security and safety concerns related to long-term storage of the weapons in Pueblo, the Department of Defense lengthened the time for completing weapons destruction in order to cut costs. Current Department of Defense-generated treatment schedules for destruction of the mustard weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot extend out as far as 2021.
State health department representatives have been working with the Army and Defense Department to bring storage of the chemical weapons in the stockpile into compliance with the regulations. The parties also have been working with the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program to design, construct and permit the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, where the chemical weapons will be treated.
The lawsuit comes after the respondents notified the state of their intention to appeal an Administrative Order issued by the state on June 17, 2008.
The lawsuit requests the court grant the same remedies as were indicated in the order. The state’s order called for the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile by Dec. 31, 2017, four years earlier than the Department of Defense’s current proposed date of Dec. 31, 2021. The order also required that secondary waste currently stored under a separate permit be treated and destroyed by the same date of Dec. 31, 2017.
“Given recurring delays by the Department of Defense for completing treatment and destruction of these wastes, the division is seeking an enforceable schedule for their timely treatment," Gary Baughman, director of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division at the state Department of Public Health and Environment,
said. "We believe the 2017 deadline is more than reasonable to complete treatment and
destruction of the chemical weapons.”
The order and the lawsuit both require the military to file a chemical waste treatment plan within 60 days of the effective date of the final decision.
This plan will describe the methods to be used to treat and destroy all hazardous waste weapons and other agent wastes at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.
A chemical waste treatment plan also requires a complete project schedule depicting the tasks required for the destruction of the wastes by Dec. 31, 2017. Some of these tasks then could be designated by DPHE as enforceable milestones in the waste treatment plan.
The chemical weapons contain mustard agent, an acutely toxic hazardous waste causing severe skin and lung inflammation, which is known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Long-term storage of hazardous waste is prohibited under state hazardous waste regulations, except when additional quantities of the waste are required to facilitate proper treatment or when an alternate schedule for its treatment is in place under a compliance order.
According to the compliance order, the mustard agent-filled weapons are not being stored for the purpose of accumulating adequate quantities for appropriate treatment, as the Pueblo Chemical Depot currently stores hundreds of thousands of waste chemical weapons at the site.
In 2002, the Department of Defense decided to destroy weapons at the Pueblo Depot by chemically neutralizing the mustard agent and then biologically treating the resulting waste. A contractor was selected to design and build the facility, the first phase of Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant permitting was completed, and construction of the plant was scheduled to begin. Under the initial design and operating plans for the facility, destruction of the chemical weapons
would have been completed by April 29, 2012.
However, in the fall of 2004 the Department of Defense terminated the design and construction plans for the facility and ordered that the facility be redesigned to meet a lower cost estimate. The contractor subsequently redesigned the facility to the lower cost estimate in 2005 and provided the Department of Defense with an implementation schedule to complete weapons destruction in nine years.
Despite previous security and safety concerns related to long-term storage of the weapons in Pueblo, the Department of Defense lengthened the time for completing weapons destruction in order to cut costs. Current Department of Defense-generated treatment schedules for destruction of the mustard weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot extend out as far as 2021.
State health department representatives have been working with the Army and Defense Department to bring storage of the chemical weapons in the stockpile into compliance with the regulations. The parties also have been working with the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program to design, construct and permit the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, where the chemical weapons will be treated.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Jones Appoints School Leadership Board
Colorado education commissioner Dwight Jones today appointed members of the new School Leadership Academy Board, which was created by the General Assembly in the 2008 session.
The legislation authorizing the board requires the state to put in place a "School Leadership Academy Program," including a principal academy that would aim to improve the recruitment, training and ongoing professional development of school leadership in the state.
“We know there is a direct relationship between the knowledge and skills of the school principal and the quality of the learning environment," Jones said. "The members of this board will oversee the development of an important new resource for current and future school leadership.”
The leadership academy board's function is to advise the state Department of Education in overseeing the leadership academy program. Fourteen members will be appointed. Those confirmed to date are:
* Lynn Rhodes, Dean of Education, University of Colorado at Denver
* Floyd Beard, Executive Director, East Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services
* Bruce Caughey, Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Association of School Executives
* Jim Eck, Senior Director, McCREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning)
* Linda Barker, Director of Teaching and Learning, Colorado Education Association
* Jane Urschel, Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Association of School Boards
Additional members will be appointed in the coming weeks.
The 14 board members will serve three-year terms. The board will set policies and procedures for the leadership academy program, monitor the program, define criteria for the department to use in selecting participants for the academy, determine curricular components of the program, and report annually to the Colorado State Board of Education.
The legislation authorizing the board requires the state to put in place a "School Leadership Academy Program," including a principal academy that would aim to improve the recruitment, training and ongoing professional development of school leadership in the state.
“We know there is a direct relationship between the knowledge and skills of the school principal and the quality of the learning environment," Jones said. "The members of this board will oversee the development of an important new resource for current and future school leadership.”
The leadership academy board's function is to advise the state Department of Education in overseeing the leadership academy program. Fourteen members will be appointed. Those confirmed to date are:
* Lynn Rhodes, Dean of Education, University of Colorado at Denver
* Floyd Beard, Executive Director, East Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services
* Bruce Caughey, Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Association of School Executives
* Jim Eck, Senior Director, McCREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning)
* Linda Barker, Director of Teaching and Learning, Colorado Education Association
* Jane Urschel, Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Association of School Boards
Additional members will be appointed in the coming weeks.
The 14 board members will serve three-year terms. The board will set policies and procedures for the leadership academy program, monitor the program, define criteria for the department to use in selecting participants for the academy, determine curricular components of the program, and report annually to the Colorado State Board of Education.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Governor's Office Releases Text of Ritter's DNC Remarks
The office of the governor has released text of Gov. Bill Ritter's address to the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field today. The text follows:
"Thank you. My name is Bill Ritter, and I’m the Governor of the great state of Colorado.
"I am so proud of Colorado. We have hosted a great Convention, don’t you think? It has been an honor to host this 2008 Democratic National Convention.
"This evening, as we mark the Convention’s end, we re-affirm our Western spirit as the American spirit. And this year, the road to the White House cuts straight through the heart of the American West.
"Merle Haggard said it best: 'If God doesn’t live in Colorado, I’ll bet that’s where he spends most of his time.'
"Here in Colorado – like in all of America – we face incredible challenges. And we know why: the Washington of George Bush and John McCain is failing us, on energy, the economy, education, health care and Iraq.
"Have you had enough?
"Are you ready to end the Bush-McCain economic policy that’s weakening the middle class?
"Are you ready to turn the page on a failed Bush-McCain energy policy that opposes investments in renewable energy?
"Are you read to close the book on a Bush-McCain health-care policy that does nothing for the uninsured, nothing to reduce health-care costs, and nothing to help seniors with the costs of long-term care?
"Are you ready for the change we need?
"Are you ready for Barack Obama?
"Maybe it’s the Mile High altitude and all this thin air. Maybe it’s the pioneering spirit of the American West. Whatever it is, we Westerners look at the many challenges facing America and we see hope and opportunity and possibility.
"I call it the Colorado Promise: the chance for everyone to reach their full God-given potential.
"We see the opportunity to build a New Energy Economy based on natural gas, wind and solar power … to create thousands of new jobs.
"We see the opportunity to build an economy around industries of the future, like aerospace the biosciences and technology.
"We see the opportunity to reform our schools so that every child gets the skills they need to fill 21st Century jobs.
"What’s happening here in the West is just a preview of the powerful change Barack Obama will bring to all of America.
"The Western experience can be the American experience.
"In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas and Oklahoma, a new generation of Democratic governors has replaced Republican governors and we’re showing America how to solve big problems, how to work together with Republicans and Democrats alike.
"The wide open West isn’t just about wide open spaces. It’s about possibilities, and hope for the future. There’s a little bit of that Western spirit, of the Colorado Promise, in all of us. Really, it’s the American Promise, the vision of a country where 'what can be' becomes 'what is.'
"But that vision only becomes a reality when we have a true partner in the White House – a partner like Barack Obama, who will work with our states, not against them.
"For the last eight years, we have not had that partner. And we will not have that partner in John McCain.
"Only if we elect a bold new president named Barack Obama can we get America back on track and bring the change we need.
"Thank you, and God bless you."
"Thank you. My name is Bill Ritter, and I’m the Governor of the great state of Colorado.
"I am so proud of Colorado. We have hosted a great Convention, don’t you think? It has been an honor to host this 2008 Democratic National Convention.
"This evening, as we mark the Convention’s end, we re-affirm our Western spirit as the American spirit. And this year, the road to the White House cuts straight through the heart of the American West.
"Merle Haggard said it best: 'If God doesn’t live in Colorado, I’ll bet that’s where he spends most of his time.'
"Here in Colorado – like in all of America – we face incredible challenges. And we know why: the Washington of George Bush and John McCain is failing us, on energy, the economy, education, health care and Iraq.
"Have you had enough?
"Are you ready to end the Bush-McCain economic policy that’s weakening the middle class?
"Are you ready to turn the page on a failed Bush-McCain energy policy that opposes investments in renewable energy?
"Are you read to close the book on a Bush-McCain health-care policy that does nothing for the uninsured, nothing to reduce health-care costs, and nothing to help seniors with the costs of long-term care?
"Are you ready for the change we need?
"Are you ready for Barack Obama?
"Maybe it’s the Mile High altitude and all this thin air. Maybe it’s the pioneering spirit of the American West. Whatever it is, we Westerners look at the many challenges facing America and we see hope and opportunity and possibility.
"I call it the Colorado Promise: the chance for everyone to reach their full God-given potential.
"We see the opportunity to build a New Energy Economy based on natural gas, wind and solar power … to create thousands of new jobs.
"We see the opportunity to build an economy around industries of the future, like aerospace the biosciences and technology.
"We see the opportunity to reform our schools so that every child gets the skills they need to fill 21st Century jobs.
"What’s happening here in the West is just a preview of the powerful change Barack Obama will bring to all of America.
"The Western experience can be the American experience.
"In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas and Oklahoma, a new generation of Democratic governors has replaced Republican governors and we’re showing America how to solve big problems, how to work together with Republicans and Democrats alike.
"The wide open West isn’t just about wide open spaces. It’s about possibilities, and hope for the future. There’s a little bit of that Western spirit, of the Colorado Promise, in all of us. Really, it’s the American Promise, the vision of a country where 'what can be' becomes 'what is.'
"But that vision only becomes a reality when we have a true partner in the White House – a partner like Barack Obama, who will work with our states, not against them.
"For the last eight years, we have not had that partner. And we will not have that partner in John McCain.
"Only if we elect a bold new president named Barack Obama can we get America back on track and bring the change we need.
"Thank you, and God bless you."
Friday, August 22, 2008
Ritter, Vestas Announce Plans to Build Large Wind Generation Facility Near Pueblo
Gov. Bill Ritter joined officials from Vestas Towers A/S, a Danish company, to announce plans to build the world's largest wind tower manufacturing plant in Pueblo.
“I applaud Vestas for continuing to invest in Colorado – this time in Pueblo – and for bringing new jobs to one of the greatest communities in the state,” Gov. Ritter said. “Vestas’ decision to locate what will be the world’s largest wind tower manufacturing plant here in Pueblo demonstrates that our New Energy Economy is benefiting every corner of Colorado.”
The $240 million capitol investment includes a manufacturing facility that will produce up to 900 steel towers annually for Vestas wind turbines, employing 450 to 550 workers, not including other contracting and consulting jobs. The plant is scheduled to open in 2009.
The tower manufacturing plant represents the largest single investment in Vestas history. Vestas officials cited easy access to rail and highways, the state's highly skilled workforce, a favorable business climate, and strong dedication and commitment from state and local leaders to growing Colorado's New Energy Economy as reasons for further expanding their Colorado operations.
Today’s announcement follows last week’s announcement that Vestas will open two new production facilities in Brighton, one to make wind blades and the other to assemble nacelles.
Nacelles are the housing units that sit atop the tower and contain the gearbox, generator and transformer. Vestas opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Windsor earlier this year.
All four production facilities amount to a $700 million capital investment by Vestas, and will result in the creation of nearly 2,500 new jobs in Colorado.
“I applaud Vestas for continuing to invest in Colorado – this time in Pueblo – and for bringing new jobs to one of the greatest communities in the state,” Gov. Ritter said. “Vestas’ decision to locate what will be the world’s largest wind tower manufacturing plant here in Pueblo demonstrates that our New Energy Economy is benefiting every corner of Colorado.”
The $240 million capitol investment includes a manufacturing facility that will produce up to 900 steel towers annually for Vestas wind turbines, employing 450 to 550 workers, not including other contracting and consulting jobs. The plant is scheduled to open in 2009.
The tower manufacturing plant represents the largest single investment in Vestas history. Vestas officials cited easy access to rail and highways, the state's highly skilled workforce, a favorable business climate, and strong dedication and commitment from state and local leaders to growing Colorado's New Energy Economy as reasons for further expanding their Colorado operations.
Today’s announcement follows last week’s announcement that Vestas will open two new production facilities in Brighton, one to make wind blades and the other to assemble nacelles.
Nacelles are the housing units that sit atop the tower and contain the gearbox, generator and transformer. Vestas opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Windsor earlier this year.
All four production facilities amount to a $700 million capital investment by Vestas, and will result in the creation of nearly 2,500 new jobs in Colorado.
Ritter Names New Judges
Gov. Bill Ritter named three people to the bench Friday.
Laurie Ann Booras, of Centennial, and Gale T. Miller of Denver were named to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Kenneth M. Laff was appointed to the 2nd District Court, which serves Denver.
Booras has worked for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in the appellate division since 1991. She previously worked for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio, Texas; the Travis County District Attorney’s Office; and the Texas Attorney General’s office. Booras received her bachelor’s degree from Cameron University in 1979 and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982.
Miller has been a partner at Davis and Graham since 1978 and is currently a commercial litigator. His practice has included natural resources, general commercial, antitrust and arbitrations. Miller previously worked as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 1968 and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1971.
Laff has served as a senior deputy district attorney since 2000. He previously was president of the PLUS Group, was a principal at Ziegler and Ross, and was an associate and partner at Holme, Roberts and Owens. He received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1974 and his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1977.
The appointments are for provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January follow the next general election. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a Court of Appeals judge is eight years, six years for a District Court judge, and four years for a County Court judge. The current salary for a Court of Appeals judge is $134,128, $128,598 for a District Court judge, and $123,067 for a County Court judge.
Laurie Ann Booras, of Centennial, and Gale T. Miller of Denver were named to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Kenneth M. Laff was appointed to the 2nd District Court, which serves Denver.
Booras has worked for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in the appellate division since 1991. She previously worked for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio, Texas; the Travis County District Attorney’s Office; and the Texas Attorney General’s office. Booras received her bachelor’s degree from Cameron University in 1979 and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982.
Miller has been a partner at Davis and Graham since 1978 and is currently a commercial litigator. His practice has included natural resources, general commercial, antitrust and arbitrations. Miller previously worked as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 1968 and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1971.
Laff has served as a senior deputy district attorney since 2000. He previously was president of the PLUS Group, was a principal at Ziegler and Ross, and was an associate and partner at Holme, Roberts and Owens. He received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1974 and his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1977.
The appointments are for provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January follow the next general election. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a Court of Appeals judge is eight years, six years for a District Court judge, and four years for a County Court judge. The current salary for a Court of Appeals judge is $134,128, $128,598 for a District Court judge, and $123,067 for a County Court judge.
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