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DENVER (AP) -- A measure pushing Colorado's largest utility toward using more natural gas to cut emissions is now law. Gov. Bill Ritter signed the bill Monday in a ceremony on the Capitol's West Steps. He was surrounded by representatives of the unlikely alliance that helped pass the bill -- the natural gas industry and environmental community -- as well as Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy.

The gas industry says the legislation could serve as a precedent for other states looking to cut emissions.

Xcel also supported the bill. It must now come up with a proposal reduce a range of pollutants over the next seven years and must give primary consideration to using natural gas to get there.

Colorado regulators will have the final on exactly how the utility meets those requirements.

The measure is House Bill 1365

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Original story

DENVER (AP) — Colorado is about to require its largest utility to cut emissions at some of its coal-fired power plants to help head off new federal emissions rules.

Gov. Bill Ritter plans to sign a bill Monday targeted at Xcel Energy's power plants along the northern Front Range.

Xcel would have to come up with a plan by Aug. 15 and give primary consideration to using more cleaner-burning natural gas.

The plan would then have to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission, which would consider how much it would increase electric bills.

Xcel estimates the legislation could cause bills to rise by 4 to 6 percent.

Backers say it will boost gas drilling and jobs, but the coal industry claims that will be overshadowed by a loss of coal jobs.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)