Colorado energy gleanings
Colorado tights valves on methane, RMI says natural gas plants less competitive, Colorado decarbonization roadmap, Platte River Power’s solar bids, and more.
Colorado’s hot streak in 2021
It wasn’t even close. Colroado during he final 6 months of 2021 was the hottest ever when compared to records gong back 120 years.
Tearing our turf in Vail
After creating parks with grass, Vail landscape architect is now methodically removing it, a nod to growing water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin.
Shaving the peaks in southwest Colorado
La Plata Electric will install air-source heat pumps; new website for members of Tri-State cooperatives, and United Power’s EV fast-charging alliance.
Guilt-free flying out of Aspen
Guilt-free flying has arrived at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, where all fuel sold is now offset with money spent for carbon-reduction projects around the world.
Settlement agreement raises Tri-State’s bar
Binding carbon reductions and new lenses for examining the future of existing fossil fuel plants are elements of a proposed agreement.
Reimagining the risk of wildfire in Colorado
Colorado will be seriously rethinking the risk of wildfire in locations where upwards of 80% of the state’s residents live as temperatures rise.
Manipulating from the margins: climate change and the Marshall Fire
Winds? Nothing new. Even prairie fires happen. So exactly what part did the warming climate play in the Marshall Fire, Colorado’s largest ever? Plenty!
The perplexity of a useless boat ramp at Lake Powell
Declining levels of Lake Powell have left a boat ramp far above the water levels. It’s one concrete example of the perplexing challenge of a warming, aridifying climate in the Colorado River Basin.
A settlement, still many questions about Xcel’s giant pivot in Colorado
This is the energy transition, messy and complicated, with much to like—but also much about which to disagree.
Big savings if Colorado utilities join regional electric markets. Did study understate gains?
Electricity consumers will save 4% to 5% when Colroado utilities join organized energy markets—maybe more. What will it take to get there in the next 8 years?
Wonky rule-making will make most of the difference in whether Colorado hits GHG targets
Can Colorado achieve its 50% economy wide emissions reductions by 2030.? Yes, probably, say a team of RMI researchers. Much depends upon new rules created by a handful of state agencies.
Colorado energy gleanings
Film about Suncor Refinery shown in Commerce City, Denver pulls trigger on 12+ solar projects, Tri-State G&T adds innovation officer, and new Colorado board named.
When will low-snow or no-snow winters become the norm in the Sierras? The Rockies?
A new report points out that water infrastructure and systems for the 20th century climate will need to be juggled in the coming time of low- and no-snow winters.
Who’d have thunk? Colorado is now talking about when it will close its last coal plant
A compromise proposal would see Colorado’s last coal plant closing in 2034. Some think Comanche 3 should close much sooner, maybe even 2027.
Cyberattack on Nov. 7 poses questions about vulnerability of electric system in Colorado
A Nov. 7 cyberattack on Delta-Montrose Electric Association that left the electrical cooperative unable to operate phones, e-mail, and payment processing for several weeks has raised questions about the motive of attackers and the security of other electrical...
Boulder caught a break in its 2020 emissions. Now, can it pick up the pace?
With covid at its back, Boulder dramatically reduced emissions in 2020. Despite that gain, it will have to pick up its pace to achieve its 2030 emission goals.
Creating a low-carb diet of local and imported energy
Locavore eating, if honorable in intent, has limits. So does the idea of local energy production. Microgrids will have their place, but so will imported energy.
How work underway at Crested Butte may enable better prediction of spring runoff
A warming, drying West will need a better understanding of the dynamics of runoff from mountain topography. Research at Crested Butte hopes to deliver answers.
Extreme weather? Yes, and the events were interrelated
Heat waves, bad air, flash floods, debris flows and drought—these were separate but interrelated parts of climate change in Colorado and beyond during 2021.
