Gleanings: the energy transition
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis weighs in on building codes, Wyoming contemplates loss of oil and gas, New Mexico studies drilling loss, delivery EVs on the rise
Time to think beyond oil and gas?
A BlueGreen Alliance report documents the giant growth of the oil and gas sectors in Colorado and New Mexico—and why it’s time to plan for the inevitable bust.
New report says why Comanche 3 is a prime candidate for closing
Newest coal plant in the West has been closed for most of last year Comanche 3 resumed operations on Jan. 13 after being off-line for much of the last year. It’s the newest and biggest coal plant in Colorado—but it shouldn’t have a long life, says a new report issued...
The ski industry and climate change
After the Biden election, figures in the ski industry saw improved prospects for strong federal action on climate change despite a divided Senate.
Are there rivers beyond the Colorado?
A scientist who co-wrote a book about the Colorado River, what he calls the charismatic megafauna of Western rivers, calls for more attention to other rivers, too.
Can pumped-hydro help Colorado utilities integrate more renewables?
Pumped-storage hydro could use electrical transmission of retiring coal plants in northwestern Colorado to supplement increasing quantities of renewable energy.
Howard Geller’s energy mission
Utilities in Colorado and beyond have embraced energy efficiency in large part because of the work of Howard Geller’ and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
Getting transmission right
Vibrant Clean Energy’s Chris Clack makes the case for massive investment in transmission as a way to ensure reliability while the grid is decarbonized.
Buildings and electric cars
Batteries in electric cars can now keep the lights on at Denver’s Alliance Center, the second place in Colorado where Fermata V2B technology has been deployed.
What Reagan got wrong
Ronald Reagan had it wrong, said Jeff Ackermann in departing the Colorado PUC after 4 years as chairman. There is a valuable and honorable role of regulation.
Local electricity in Gunnison County
Gunnison County Electric has started the process of adding local generation of electrical resources. It’s less than 1% now, but it can get up to 7%.
Colorado’s top energy stories in 2020
From a decarbonization roadmap to a giant solar farm to firming plans for 100% renewable energy, Colorado’s energy transition in 2020 told in these stories.
