Red-flag warnings on the rise in Colorado
As fire risk has grown in Colorado, the state’s electrical utilities have elevated their risk. The Marshall Fire, some say, has made them even more nervous.
A hot, dry wind licking at winter’s back door
A record number of red-flag warnings in April have left many Coloradans on edge, fearful of what the the lengthening wildfire season will bring.
Fossil-free in frigid Fraser
As Colorado debates how to decarbonize its buildings, evidence arrives of the cost-effectiveness of air-source heat pumps and other technologies that work even in the coldest places.
A sharper pivot for Xcel Energy
A settlement agreement proposes to retire Comanche 3 sooner and identifies a 25-year yardstick for evaluating the need for new natural gas plants. It also punts some key decisions.
Home court for Colorado climate lawsuits
San Miguel County and Boulder lawsuits against two oil companies will be heard in Colorado. That helps. But these cases will still have an uphill struggle to prove damages that might seem obvious
Methane’s record rate increase
Methane packs a punch during its brief lift. Carbon dioxide, less so, but “40% of the Ford Model T emissions from 1911 are still in the air today.”
Colorado gleanings: building emissions
Short items from Colorado’s efforts to squeeze emissions from buildings, large and small, commercial and residential.
Wyoming gleanings: coal, eagles and EV’s
What will it take to put EVs on Wyoming’s highways? Wind developer guilty in death of three eagles. And why the severance tax on coal was cut.
A first for Platte River Power Authority
As it moves toward 100% emissions-free electricity by 2030, a Colorado utility has created a new “transition & integration” division. It’s part of a trend.
Hotter atmosphere = thirstier crops
Rio Grande Valley crops need 8% to 15% more water in the last 40 years as thirst of a warming atmosphere drives Western landscape and water supplies toward drought. And it’s not going to get any better.
This gas plant will rarely be missed
This gas plant in Colorado was used so rarely that even when utilities were desperate for generation during a February 2021 storm, it sat idle.
Colorado coal production rises in 2021
Colorado production in 2021 rose, but it’s just a third of the tonnage from less than 20 years ago.
