State utilities regulators called a hearing to discuss how — and if they can — lessen impacts of frigid weather and pressure in the natural gas market
Xcel
Posted inEnergy
Xcel Energy’s controversial Unaweep Canyon pumped-storage hydro project gets preliminary federal permit
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has accepted Xcel’s application for a preliminary permit to study a massive hydropower project in Unaweep Canyon, where residents are promising a fight.
Posted inEnergy, Environment, News
What’s the state of solar power in Colorado? Here’s a Q&A with a key player to find out.
Where’s all that clean solar power promised to sunny Colorado? The solar industry, which had its annual Colorado meetup this week, says a lot of that clean power is already here, a lot more is on the way, and there’s a lot that state regulators and lawmakers could be doing to bring even more, even […]
Posted inColoradans, News
Federal agencies join investigation into the Marshall fire’s cause as two people remain missing
Boulder County authorities zeroed in on a neighborhood they believe to be the origin of the Marshall fire but have yet to determine a cause, Sheriff Joe Pelle said Sunday. Authorities said the fire likely started near Marshall Road and Colorado 93, and they are working with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, […]
Posted inClimate, Economy, Energy, Environment, News
Colorado consumer advocates ask utility commission to reject $130M of Xcel’s February storm surcharge
Xcel Energy ignored numerous weather warnings when buying natural gas and failed to switch to cheaper fuel oil during the historic deep freeze in mid-February, leaving the utility helpless as spot prices spiked to 50 times base costs, according to new expert objections to proposed consumer surcharges. The state consumer advocate and the Public Utilities […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, News
Denver and Boulder have big goals to fight climate change. But there is an obstacle: cannabis
Stretching the day for tiny marijuana plants at a Lafayette greenhouse long after night falls makes for a hefty electric bill. Even with big investments in a computer system to control heat, light and humidity, and in more-efficient light bulbs and fans, RiNo Supply Co. general manager Brian Matthews says 85 percent of the energy costs […]