05-16-12 CO Governor Hickenlooper announces change at Colorado Energy Office...TJ Deora Resigns...

DENVER ­— Wednesday, May 16, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today Tanuj “TJ” Deora has resigned as Director of the Colorado Energy Office.

“TJ helped continue Colorado’s rise as a leader among states in energy research and development,” Hickenlooper said. “We very much appreciate his service to Colorado.”

Deora’s resignation is effective June 15. He will then begin work as Director of Energy and Environment at IHS, a global information company headquartered in Englewood.

“It has been an honor to serve in the Cabinet and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of an outstanding team,” Deora said. “I leave confident that the Colorado Energy Office is on track to lead energy market transformation to make for a cleaner, more secure and more prosperous state.”

The Colorado Energy Office promotes sustainable economic development in Colorado by encouraging job creation, increasing energy security and lowering long-term consumer costs while protecting the environment. The office under Deora’s leadership helped the state adopt compressed natural gas as a component of a balanced energy portfolio for transportation fuels; eliminated roadblocks to residential and commercial energy efficiency financing; and increased statewide energy literacy among consumers and businesses.

The recent passage of House Bill 12-1315 will enable the Energy Office to build on Colorado’s national reputation as a leader in clean energy and energy innovation, and enhance the office’s ability to support private-sector job creation in renewable energy and natural gas industries. The bill changed the name of the office to the “Colorado Energy Office,” secured funding for five years and established the office’s Innovative Energy Fund and the Clean & Renewable Energy Fund.

A search for a new Director at the Colorado Energy Office will begin next week.

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