The demise of the oil and gas industry in Colorado — predicted after the passage of legislation and regulations focused on protecting public health, safety and the environment — does not appear to be imminent. Plans for nearly 1,900 new oil and gas wells are before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2022 […]
Energy
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, News
Colorado gives oil and gas company 6 more months to clean up its act. If not, KP Kauffman faces nearly $1 million in fines — or worse.
Frustrated, but patient, state oil and gas regulators on Monday gave the troubled KP Kauffman Co. one more, six-month chance to clean up its act or face close to $1 million in fines — or worse. The Denver-based oil and gas operator, which runs 1,200 low-producing wells around the state, is under an agreement to […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, News
Mystery solved: That secretive solar farm in western Colorado? It’s officially a crypto mine.
Mystery solved. The hush-hush solar development in Olathe is sub rosa no more. The old Louisiana Pacific lumber mill along U.S. 50 is home to a cryptocurrency mine. Aspen Creek Digital Corporation announced late last week that its “high-performance” bitcoin mining center is now operating on the site and is linked to the 10-megawatt solar […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, News, Politics and Government
Xcel Energy cleared to collect $500 million from Coloradans for storm, but regulators say it can’t happen again
The Colorado Utilities Public Commission on Wednesday gave Xcel Energy the go-ahead to collect a half billion dollars from its customers to cover the spiraling costs of natural gas during a winter cold snap in 2021 — but the commissioners weren’t happy about it. The commission lopped an $8 million penalty off the $509 million […]
Posted inEnergy
“It’s our new cash crop”: A land rush for renewable energy is transforming the Eastern Plains
A race to meet state climate goals — and to get expiring federal tax credits along the way — has led to a flurry of wind and solar activity.
Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, News
Colorado has 200,000 tons of orphan greenhouse gases that no one claims, environmental groups say
Nearly 200,000 tons of orphaned greenhouse gas emissions seemed to go off the books of a coal plant when a utility sold its partial share of the power. Another utility made a vague promise to replace 80% of its transmission through clean resources, without revealing how that magic total will be reached. Maybe these Colorado […]
Posted inEnergy
A project looking to move water from Utah to Colorado’s Front Range gets new funding, partner
Water Horse Resources CEO Aaron Million is still eyeing a Green River pipeline, which critics dismiss as a “silly idea”
Posted inNews
“The End” bus tour depicts an apocalyptic Denver to help spur climate change action
Boil-water orders remained in effect, curfews were strictly enforced and people without water service to their homes were encouraged to contact local authorities. Extreme heat and power outages afflicted much of east-central Colorado, as harmful levels of airborne particulates filled the air in Denver and its neighboring counties. “Children, youth and people with compromised immune […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News
Xcel Energy wants consumers to pay $1B to shut down 5 coal-fired power plants. Regulators want more study.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Friday balked at approving a billion-dollar price tag to shut down Xcel Energy’s five remaining coal-fired generating units — to be paid by customers — and instead is seeking more detailed financial analysis. The proposed closing costs were part of a settlement agreement between Xcel Energy, the state’s largest […]
Posted inWater
The Ute Mountain Ute can’t access their Colorado River water rights. Here’s how the tribal chairman is trying to change that.
A conversation about water with the Ute Mountain Ute tribal chairman