Want to understand water speculation in Colorado? Let’s say you’re in line at a pizza shop. Hear us out. There’s a big sign at the pizza counter saying, “Limited quantities due to climate change. Buy only what you can eat.” But the guy in front of you buys five pizzas for $20 each. He starts […]
Western Resource Advocates
Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, News
Colorado agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But first they exempted the biggest polluters.
When Colorado air pollution regulators started writing rules to cut 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions by heavy industry, the first thing they had to do was exempt the four largest polluters. The original law says that cement plants and steel plants, which in Colorado are currently emitting up to a million tons a year […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Closing a coal-fired power plant in Pueblo to meet Colorado climate goals is easier said than done
This much is certain: Comanche 3 — Xcel Energy’s $1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in Pueblo — is going to close. When and how are now issues of intense debate before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The fate of the plant — the state’s largest single emitter of carbon dioxide — is key to Colorado […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News, Transportation
WHO says air pollution caps should be much tougher in Colorado, U.S.
The World Health Organization says areas like Colorado’s Front Range counties need stringent new air pollution limits, firing a daunting challenge at Colorado leaders already scrambling to catch up to less-onerous restrictions imposed by the EPA. The new WHO guidelines released Wednesday, developed by hundreds of scientists around the world, including Colorado State University environmental […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Environment, News, Water
Feds slash state water draws from Colorado River as drought intensifies
The federal government declared a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time since a compact between seven river basin was inked a century ago, with major 2022 water delivery cutbacks for Arizona and a lesser amount for Nevada and the nation of Mexico. But water resource experts warned Coloradans not to be […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News
Xcel Energy needs a smarter, greener electric grid. But should Colorado customers foot the $344 million bill for it?
Xcel Energy is pushing for a record $344 million rate increase it says it needs to build a smarter, greener electric grid. But consumer advocates and state regulators are pushing back over the price tag. A major concern is that along with an earlier rate increase and other pending requests since the start of 2020, […]
Posted inEnvironment, News
Industries could dump more pollution into Colorado rivers under proposed rule change that goes against recommendations
A year ago, the state’s water quality commissioners overruled not only their staff but other state agencies like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with a broad and very angry coalition of conservation groups. Now, according to the conservation groups, the commission is about to do the same thing again. Only this time, the river advocates […]
Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, Housing, News
The “building electrification” movement is coming for your Colorado home. Here’s what you need to know before giving up gas.
They are indeed coming for your gas stove. And your trusty 40-gallon tank of hot water sitting atop a natural-gas bonfire. And the belching, fuel-burning furnace in the basement that makes a Colorado winter survivable. Home and office building electrification — switching out gas or propane appliances for electric versions powered eventually by 100% renewable […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Effort to force Colorado to cut greenhouse emissions faster exposes exasperation with Polis administration
For more than a year, frustrated Colorado lawmakers and environmental groups have struggled to push the Polis administration to move faster to meet mandated cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Now they are advancing a bill to set emission caps and deadlines — over the objections of the governor. The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee moved […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Closing all of Xcel’s coal-fired power plants will cost Colorado consumers $1.4 billion
The price tag for Xcel Energy closing all its Colorado coal-fired plants will be $1.4 billion spread over decades — a sum that will be paid exclusively by the utility’s residential and commercial customers. The closure estimates and their financing are part of the $8 billion electric resource and clean energy plan submitted last month […]