Help from a boy who came from Searchlight, Nevada
I am grateful for the role of the late Harry Reid—a very large one, as the Senate majority leader—in getting Obamacare passed.
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...
Gosh, I’ll miss the voice of Greg Hobbs
The death of Greg Hobbs causes me to celebrate two sides of this former state justice: his work as a lawyer specializing in water and his heart as a poet of mountains and plains.
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.
On the road to New Mexico — and back
Traveling along I-25 toward Santa Fe on the eve of Thanksgiving, we stopped at Las Vegas to refuel. Cathy went inside and returned with a report that was surprising, even shocking: Everyone was wearing a mask. This, we observed during our four days in New Mexico, was...
Visiting Bishop’s Lodge and the Colorado River Compact
A visit to where the compact was conceived in New Mexico in 1922 provokes questions about whether the agreement needs to be remodeled—or razed.
How renewables are scrambling electrical generation portfolios and lowering rates
Six towns and cities in SE Colorado will be getting electricity from a new wholesale provider, Guzman Energy, which is developing a portfolio of renewables.
Electric highway to the Front Range from the heart of the Dust Bowl?
Xcel Energy wants to spend upwards of $2 billion delivering wind and other renewables to Front Range customers. But what motivates Colorado’s largest utility?
How global warming will make Aspen wealthier
The actual poor of the world are suffering from global warming, while we Aspenites get richer, says Roger Marolt. This is not a crisis for mountain resorts and likely never will be.
Colorado energy gleanings
A dead-end on Aspen’s natural-gas sabotage, solar moves forward in Yampa Valley, hydrogen plan released, Vail Resorts hits 85% renewables, Fort Collins blows past emissions goal.
