Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter urged lawmakers Tuesday to back an energy bill that is a crucial part of his agenda.

"The most significant issue on the minds of governors of this country is how states play a role in renewable energy and how we move forward," Ritter told lawmakers in his first appearance before a legislative committee as governor. "Colorado is poised in so many respects to play a leadership role."

The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee passed House Bill 1281 on a 3-2 party-line vote.

The measure by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and others would double the renewable energy standard required under Amendment 37 passed by voters in 2004. It would require large utilities to get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources such as sun and wind by 2020.

It also would establish a standard for rural utilities serving fewer than 40,000 customers. They would be required to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Ritter and the Democratic-controlled legislature want to make Colorado a key force in renewable-energy research, investment and production.

Environmentalists and Democrats touted a study showing that revving up renewable energy production would bolster Colorado's economy by $1.9 billion and create 4,100 jobs, almost twice that projected under Amendment 37.

Republican Sens. David Schultheis and Ron May, both of Colorado Springs, voted against the measure.

Schultheis argued that developing wind, sun and biofuel technology could cost consumers more money in the long run and force rural utilities to spend millions of dollars they don't have.

"I'm concerned that the technology is not good enough yet," said Schultheis. "If it were, the free market would gladly develop it and there would be no need to run these type of bills."

Ritter said the bill represents a compromise on the part of Xcel Energy, cooperatives, independent power producers and the renewable energy industry.

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