Wyoming energy gleanings: coal and nuclear
An essayist makes the case that Wyoming shouldn’t expect nuclear to save its energy economy, and another essayist describes the way that Wyoming legislators have been desperately trying to save the state’s coal economy.
New Mexico gleanings: Hydrogen and securitization
Securitization an issue in plans regarding coal plant in New Mexico Public Service Co. of New Mexico, the state’s largest electrical utility, plans to get out of the Four Corners Power Plant near Farmington by the end of 2024. But its plan for doing so is drawing...
United Power looking for a partner to create a pilot microgrid in service territory near Denver
United Power, an electrical cooperative near Denver, wants to find a partner to develop a pilot microgrid. Other utilities have had similar thoughts.
Tri-State has cleaner energy, Logan County has a broader tax base, landowners have more secure income
A new wind farm in northeastern Colorado will give Tri-State Generation and Transmission 200 megawatts of capacity, helping the wholesaler pivot away from coal.
Japanese-American internment camp of Amache can teach us much
A Japanese-American prison camp called Amache in southeast Colorado can teach us much about mass hysteria and wartime racism. Volunteers have kept its memories alive, and now, Congress needs to act to make this place of privation a national historic site.
Colorado transportation and hydrogen gleanings
Colorado hydrogen report recommends pilot projects; state looks at how to reduce emissions from medium and heavy-duty trucks; and new transportation boards.
How new solar farm has made Aspen more resilient
A new 5-megawatt solar farm will give Holy Cross Energy greater ability to create a microgrid near Aspen, as might be useful in case of wildfire.
Another big solar project in Pueblo as questions loom about Comanche 3
Work wraps up on one major solar project at Pueblo as work soon begins on a second. Looming is the question of whether coal or nuclear will supplement them.
Not a done deal, but La Plata Electric plans a big move
Electrical cooperative in Colorado wants to pursue renewable energy with Crossover Energy Partners. What does this say about the future of Tri-State G&T?
Colorado’s difficult journey of building decarbonization
Nobody in the world has done this, replacing natural gas combustion within buildings at scale. Colorado must if it hopes to achieve its goals of emissions reductions.
Colorado energy gleanings
Near-completion of solar project at Pueblo celebrated, Polis appoints members of transportation advisory committees, Blue Green Alliance announces Colorado polling in support of Build Back Better, and South Utes join natural gas alliance.
Wyoming energy gleanings
Will this EV get to Old Faithful and back. Why Protect our Winters is peeved with the owner of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. And Wyoming efforts to diversify.
Naming Colorado’s 64 counties, one by one
In the afternoon sun of North Park, we had paused along the Michigan River for one last interview, the sun glinting off the snow on the Medicine Bow Range in the background. Then we began the three-hour drive to Denver. Darkness caught up with us by Granby and by...
Wandering in the landscapes and West Virginia and American politics
I’ve been there! I know that place! That’s what I exclaimed to myself at midnight Sunday as I read the online version of the New York Times. The story was about Joe Manchin, the U.S. senator from West Virginia who might as well be called King Manchin, given his power...
Reckoning time on the Colorado River (and its tributaries)
Climate change was talked about before, but not with the same alarm as this year at an annual water meeting, a reflection of what is happening on the ground
Hickenlooper sees 50-50 chance for carbon pricing
Colorado’s junior senator gives carbon pricing a 50-50 chance of passing Congress. Without it, he said, climate change work is “window dressing”
Words veer to sharp edges in the dispute between Tri-State and its biggest co-op
Colorado’s second largest electrical utility has a disagreement with its single largest customer, a kerfuffle reflected in press releases and reactions.
Giant solar farm for the Pueblo steel mill (almost) completed
The giant solar farm near Pueblo that will deliver most of the electricity needed to produce quarter-mile-long rail segments of steel? It’s done.
Auden Schendler on big oil & why voluntary action just isn’t enough
Aspen’s foremost voice on climate change took on the oil giants in a New York Times op/ed, but his point was broader: why carbon neutrality goals fall short.
