Posted inEnergy, News

Judge revives Obama-era ban on coal sales from federal lands

By Matthew Brown, The Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. — A federal judge on Friday reinstated a moratorium on coal leasing from federal lands that was imposed under former President Barack Obama and then scuttled under former President Donald Trump. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Brian Morris requires government officials to conduct a new environmental review before […]

Posted inOpinion

Opinion: Praise for Xcel’s agreement to stop burning coal by 2031

As elected officials from different parts of the state, we are encouraged by the recent decision by Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission regarding Xcel Energy’s Electric Resource Plan. Xcel is the state’s largest electric utility, serving 1.3 million Colorado customers. Because electricity generation is Colorado’s second largest carbon-emitter after transportation, this decision will have real and […]

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 inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government

Budgets fat with fossil fuel revenue at odds with climate-change goals in states like Colorado

By Morgan Lee and Mead Gruver, The Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. — Government budgets are booming in New Mexico: Teacher salaries are up, residents can go to an in-state college tuition-free, moms will get medical care for a year after childbirth, and criminal justice initiatives are being funded to reduce urban violence. The reason […]

Posted inEnvironment, News, Outdoors

Colorado to strengthen plan to protect views at Rocky Mountain National Park, sidestepping Sierra Club lawsuit

Colorado will meet revised federal deadlines to strengthen regional haze plans that protect views in Rocky Mountain National Park and other western treasures, state officials and environmental groups say, sidestepping a new Sierra Club lawsuit demanding sanctions on Colorado and dozens more states.  The Sierra Club lawsuit says the Environmental Protection Agency failed to enforce […]