Colorado U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, a Republican from Cortez, is behind a bill to advance renewable energy and raise money for local community and conservation.

He is one of 28 lawmakers representing both parties – though no others from Colorado – co-sponsoring the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act.

The bill aims to amp up production of wind, solar and geothermal energy on public lands, while creating a revenue-sharing agreement between states, counties, wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation.

“Rural communities that have large swaths of public lands rely on royalties from traditional energy resource production to fund schools, roads and other vital projects,” Tipton said in a statement. “

This legislation will help spur additional funding for our communities by allowing the rapidly expanding renewable energy market to utilize public lands for production, all while preserving cherished recreation activities, such as hunting, fishing, hiking and biking.

“Public lands are best managed for multiple use, and I am proud to support that goal with introduction of the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act.”

This isn’t the first time Congress has looked at turning a profit off renewable energy development.

In 2013, then U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Boulder, was a perennial co-sponsor of the ultimately unsuccessful Public Lands and Renewable Energy Development Act.

As governor, Polis has made renewable energy a main plank of his administration, with Democrats who control the legislature behind him.

Several conservation groups have come out in support of the bill, including Trout Unlimited.

“PLREDA offers a way to advance development of renewable energy on public lands in a responsible and innovative fashion, while also ensuring funds flow back into Trout Unlimited’s critical on-the-ground conservation work that benefits anglers and downstream communities,” the organization states on its website.

The Natural Resources Defense Council also is backing the bill.

“Balancing energy production with environmental conservation and stewardship of our public lands is no simple task,” NRDC stated. “But this legislation puts forth a compelling model for doing just this. It recognizes the opportunities and need for rapidly deploying renewable energy projects in ways that are thoughtful, efficient, and promote positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes.

“In our era of accelerating climate change, this balanced approach to using our public lands to help lead the U.S. toward a low-carbon future is a common-sense way for federal agencies to play a meaningful role in combating climate change.”