With wildfire risk rising, utilities bet on solar + storage
With risk of wildfires rising, electrical utilities in Taos, Aspen and other rural areas are looking at battery storage as a way of improving resilience.
And what if there’s an incredible heat spell in 2030?
Extended and broad heat wave in 2030. A big push of electric pickup trucks? Colorado utility commissioners try to crystal electrical needs and opportunities.
An opportunity in Xcel moratorium on gas to Fraser and Winter Park?
Xcel Energy says it’s nearly out of capacity on its existing natural gas line to Fraser and Winter Park. Builders are upset. But is this an opportunity?
Will Wyoming lead nuclear resurgence with new plant?
Hopes abound in Wyoming of the state being at the front edge of new nuclear technology that deploys small modular reactors. The state could use a path forward.
A tragedy in 1921 caused a pivot in how Colorado moved forward
Pueblo was struck by a flood in 1921 that likely killed hundreds. The recovery had implications for Colorado broadly—and poses questions about today’s risks.
The big slide on the Colorado River likely far from over
Declining Colorado River flows and no new normal yet say Udall and Fleck, dry soils in the Yampa River Basin, new water advisors in Colorado state government.
Salt on the table at Hayden
Xcel Energy has promised Hayden that it will not leave when the coal-burning units do. Energy storage is a possibility, and topping the list is molten salt.
Xcel-backed bill gives company certainty of cost recovery as it seeks solutions
Xcel Energy got what it wanted from a Colorado legislative committee with a 11-2 vote, but there were questions about whether it really needed what it wanted.
New Mexico energy gleanings
Hydrogen ambitions , pooh-poohing university divestment drive, carbon capture, and a call to leap on clean energy to diversify state’s economy.
Energy markets beat storage as Colorado utilities decarbonize
A report to the Colroado Public Utilities Commission says utilities will need less storage if they join a regional markets that pool electricity resources.
As Holy Cross pushes toward 80% renewables
A pilot program of six home batteries represents an effort by Holy Cross Energy to better contour demands around supply as it moves toward 80% renewables.
Bill on desk of Colorado governor seeks to tilt table toward building energy efficiency
A bill seeking to trigger energy efficiency in buildings is one of several Colorado legislative efforts aimed at squeezing carbon from buildings.
Can natural gas be eased, not shoved, from buildings in Colorado?
State utility regulators have started talking about their role in weaning buildings from natural gas. Colorado must do it differently than California.
Wyoming energy gleanings
Constitutional scholar takes dim view of Wyoming legal strategy; lower Btu Powder River coal struggles for markets; new hope for carbon capture and storage.
Paths to a 100% clean energy grid
What will it take to get to a 100% clean-energy grid? Mostly a matter of doing what is known, say 2 researchers. A study by 2 federal labs is more cautious.
Colorado energy gleanings
Aspen wants to squeeze energy from buildings, Delta-Montrose Electric shows improved bottom line, Pueblo County resident frets about solar heat-island effect.
Taos warms and Facebook thrives: gleanings from New Mexico
In Taos as across the Southwest, temperatures continue to rise, especially on winter nights. And Facebook shows New Mexico the path forward, say op/ed writers.
Greening up roads and buildings
A Colorado bill proposes to add the global warming potential of materials used in buildings — and, in a national first, roads —in evaluating state funded projects.
Why so many candidates for the Holy Cross Energy Board of Directors?
Unhappiness can turn out candidates. But that doesn’t seem to explain this year’s bumper crop of candidates for Holy Cross Energy’s board. Could it be success?
Killing wildlife to see who wins
Many states, but not Colorado, allow wildlife hunting contests. The contests produce bodies, but do they help other wildlife or even livestock? Actually, no.
