http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23972_5305643,00.html

EDITORIAL

There they go again

Once again The Denver Post cannot distinguish between a "consumer advocate" and a political activist with a narrow special agenda.

In reporting Gov. Bill Ritter's appointment this week of Ron Binz to head the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Post said it "was hailed by consumer advocates . . ."

Which "consumer advocates," pray tell? Why, Nancy LaPlaca of the "consumer group" Ratepayers United of Colorado.

As it happens, Ratepayers United of Colorado is not a consumers group in the sense that it tries to protect consumers from all efforts by utilities to gouge them. It is an anti-coal, pro-renewables outfit. Period.

"In an era of class- and race-based injustice," its Web site says, "what's good for ratepayers' health is a transition to less polluting sources of energy."

Of course, if that transition involves higher consumer bills because of government mandates that ignore market prices, as is the case right now with Amendment 37's solar program, consumers will just have to bear them.

It's fine that LaPlaca and other anti-coal activists get their say in the Post. What's irritating is how that newspaper equates "consumer activist" with "environmental activist," as if the interests of consumers and greens were always perfectly aligned.

Vincent Carroll is editor of the editorial pages. Reach him at carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.