The Bell Policy Center, which consistently does an exemplary job of de-mystifying Colorado’s complex fiscal and budgetary landscape, has issued a new report that looks ahead at state revenues and expenditures through 2013.

A joint project with the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute and the Colorado Children’s’ Campaign, the report -- “Looking Forward: Colorado’s fiscal prospects after Ref C” -- analyzes the impact of the state referendum that brought a five-year timeout from Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) and examines the fiscal picture once Ref C phases out.

The Bell’s conclusion: “Referendum C stopped the bleeding and stabilized the patient, but could do little else.” Though the timeout allowed Colorado to keep more than $1 billion in revenues that otherwise would have been lost, many state programs have yet to return to service levels that existed before the economic downturn of 2001-3. And revenues in the near future won’t allow for new or expanded state services.

This report by the U.S. PIRG discusses the benefits experienced by states that implement Renewable Electricity Standards, a mandate requiring a certain percentage of electricity be generated from renewable resources. 

Worldwide investments in renewable energy hit a record $100 billion in 2006-- up from $80 billion in 2005 -- and show "no sign of abating," according to a new analysis by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Poles Apart is written primarily to aid the electric and gas consumer in understanding the rationale behind the forces which shape utility rates in Montana and the nation.

Click here to view Cover, TOC and Chapter 1 of Poles Apart by Russ Doty

Research conducted for Western Progress by Western Resource Advocates outlines strategies states and communities are using in our region to encourage the development of alternative energies, from energy efficiency standards, to tax credits, to renewable portfolio standards.