| "DENVER Coloradans would have to pay an estimated 50 cents more on their natural gas bills to pay for proposed energy efficiency programs, but supporters say those programs could save consumers millions in the long run." " Bill sponsor Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, said Tuesday that the programs would save enough natural gas to power 146,000 homes a year by 2020. The decreased demand should keep natural gas prices more stable and save Colorado residents $600 million during that same period, said Will Coyne of Environment Colorado." " Its one of the only things the Legislature can do to help everyone with their heating bills, Coyne said." " The measure (House Bill 1037), which passed its first committee vote Tuesday, would tell the Public Utility Commission to come up with rules for utilities to create energy efficiency programs. Those programs could range from giving tips to homeowners on how to make their home more efficient to performing energy audits on homes and distributing covers for water heaters, Coyne said." " Rex Wilmouth, state director of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, said the PUC could also require utilities to offer rebates on energy efficient furnaces or hot water heaters." "
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