A more volatile climate. Closing coal plants. Loss of hydro power. Will there enough electricity if temperatures hit 115 degrees in Colorado and beyond?
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Transmission to San Luis Valley?
Colorado’s San Luis Valley rips with solar potential but lacks a way to get the electricity to market. What will it take? A conversation is beginning at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
Can Colorado provide a model for other states?
PUC chair Eric Blank says Colorado is at a magical place in its energy transition. Can it be example for other states with purplish political complexions?
A huge pivot for Xcel and Colorado
Xcel’s sprawling plans for its giant pivot from coal will dramatically transform the landscape of eastern Colorado. TBD: When will the state’s youngest coal plant close?
Good (mostly) in California. How about Colorado?
Colorado has many energy balls in the air. Should a concept called community choice energy help in its energy transition. It has mostly worked in California.
Will electricity supplies keep pace with the warming climate?
Colorado regulators want assurances utilities will have enough electricity for air conditioners on even the hottest of days — such as baked Portland in 2021.
After Xcel Energy gets done with its transmission
Xcel Energy has the official OK for a transmission of up to $2 billion in Colorado. What will remain for the new transmission authority “of last resort” to do?
A short rope for Xcel and pumped storage
Colorado regulators agree that Xcel Energy can ding customers for only $1 million in exploratory costs if it investigates a pumped-storage hydro idea.
A sharper pivot for Xcel Energy
A settlement agreement proposes to retire Comanche 3 sooner and identifies a 25-year yardstick for evaluating the need for new natural gas plants. It also punts some key decisions.
This gas plant will rarely be missed
This gas plant in Colorado was used so rarely that even when utilities were desperate for generation during a February 2021 storm, it sat idle.
