Can Colorado hit emissions targets?
Colorado has some of the most ambitious emissions-reductions goals in the country. Can it reduce emissions economy wide by 2030? The discussion continues.
Squeezing the carbon from homes
Big houses use more energy. Period. But can carbon emissions be wrung out of those bigger houses. New regulations in Colorado’s Pitkin County seek to begin the drive toward net-zero during the coming decade. Boulder County is doing the same.
Closer but no cigar for Denver Water
Denver moves closer to permits it needs for expansion of reservoir in foothills of Rockies. In Fraser, at least one resident sees one diversion too many
Natural gas questions and tensions
Tension has been rising around the role of natural gas. A new Sierra Club report counters a push by a utilities in California about “renewable natural gas.” Colorado’s oil and gas sectors hopes to quash local natural gas bans with an initiative on the November ballot.
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.
