The cost of leaving Tri-State G&T
United Power would pay $234.8 million to leave Tri-State Generation & Transmission under a methodology recommended by an administrative law judge to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
Acceleration of the energy transition
Long ago — late 2018 — a declaration of an 80% emissions reduction by 2030 seemed so bold. But Colorado Springs demonstrates its attainability. A new report says even more is possible.
Replacing natural gas in Denver
A climate task force in Denver urges elected officials to seize the moment to accelerate the drive to remove natural gas from the built environment.
Craig unit to be retired in 2028
Tri-State Generation and Transmission and its four co-owners of the second coal-burning unit at Craig have announced it will be closed Sept. 30, 2028.
Solar more expensive than necessary?
In renewable generation, as in grocery shopping, prices do matter. This former NREL researcher makes the case that Colorado utilities should not be forced to grab some expensive solar when cheaper solar can be had.
A power switch in Colorado
Delta-Montrose Electric splits the sheets with Tri-State Generation and Transmission. Will others follow?
How quickly the tide turns on coal
Closing coal plant is an easy decision. But Colorado Springs also decided against buying a shiny new natural gas plant. It wants to remain nimble.
Platte River’s windy addition
The new Roundhouse has begun production. With completion of a solar farm later this year, four northern Colorado communities served by Platte River Power Authority will get 50% of their electricity from non-carbon sources.
Solar at the headwaters
The high elevations and generally sunny skies make Colorado’s Middle and North Parks suited for good solar production, and a new solar cooperative hopes to assist that in happening.
Solar gardens in the urban fabric
Denver aims to integrate more solar gardens into the urban fabric, but with more goals than merely reducing the city’s dependence upon imported electricity.
Colorado’s uncertain path to 2030
Colorado officials charged with substantially decarbonizing the state’s economy in the next 10 years are struggling with whether a set of smaller actions can get the job done. Or is something much bigger needed?
Coal and the hope of carbon capture
Wyoming continues to hope that coal can be burned without producing emissions, a technology proven at smaller scale but expensive. Others in Colorado and New Mexico also have an interest.
What comes after Colorado Springs closes its coal plants?
Colorado Springs will be shedding its two coal plants during the coming decade. Will natural gas be the bridge fuel, or can a bigger leap be made—avoiding stranded assets in the future?
Dylan and the Sand Creek Massacre
Bob Dylan has the Sand Creek Massacre on his mind. Wonder what he’ll do with it. Colorado has has several other massacres he could toy with.
Rawhide coal plant to close by 2030
Platte River Power Authority has announced it will close its Rawhide coal unit by 2030, but many things still necessary to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity.
Skiing and climate urgency
A new, more muscular tone about climate change is evident in the National Ski Areas Association’s official magazine. Now is the time to elevate the dialogue, says the lead article.
What to make of June snowstorms amidst this rapidly warming climate?
It snowed hard in Aspen and other places in Colorado last week. How do you reconcile that with the reality of rapidly warming temperatures?
Windy enough in Dust Bowl land
Southeastern Colorado has wind aplenty, almost enough to power the entire state. But that wind is like a farm without a road to market. Why that may change.
Colorado’s decarbonizing road trip
As Colorado chooses its path toward 50% decarbonization of its economy by 2030, all the paths involve the state’s regulation of electrical utilities. But there’s more than just closing down coal plants. That’s already underway.
Getting a grip on Colorado’s emissions
Colorado had adopted rules governing collection of emissions. Some of it is easy enough, other things also impossible to quantify. But has the state moved too slowly? Time to seize the coronavirus—and climate—moment?
