Top Headlines#1
Viewpoint: The Billion Dollar Block of Concrete
The insider joke is that utilities always want to build the next “billion dollar block of concrete” — not for the power, but because it can be added to their “rate base” and thus earn these returns. Why is their return on capital far higher than you or I can make on a secure investment?
Top Headlines#2
Colorado Legislature Approves 30% Renewable Energy Requirement
The new bill was finalized after a few housecleaning tweaks and will soon have the Governor’s signature on it. HB-1001 has been a major goal this year for the Ritter Administration and once law, will make Colorado second only to California in highest mandated percentage of renewables for power generation.
Top Headlines#3
Wind Turbine Development Sought Along
Stretch of I-70
Picture yourself heading westbound out of Denver for a day of skiing, only imagine it is two or three years into the future. No, you won’t see a high-speed train racing along side; but you may encounter dozens of wind turbines rotating high above on the mountain ridges between Idaho Springs and Georgetown.
Top Headlines#4
EPA: No Plans for Own Carbon Trading Program
The Obama administration has no plans to set up a “cap-and-trade” program for greenhouse gases under existing law if Congress doesn’t pass legislation doing so, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in remarks at the National Press Club in Washington.
Top Headlines#5
Interior Expands “Common-Sense” Efforts to Conserve Sage Grouse Habitat in the West
The federal government will start to protect the sage grouse as a “candidate” species under the Endangered Species Act. The Interior said the compromise decision embraces the latest science indicating that sage grouse need help to avoid extinction in the face of energy development, grazing and home-building.
Top Headlines#6
State PUC Approves Xcel’s Two-Tier
Rate Structure
The plan essentially means the more electricity consumers use, the more they would pay. From June through September, Xcel’s 1.1 million residential customers will be charged a lower rate for the first 500 kilowatt-hours per month and a higher rate for all electricity above that amount.
Thanks for the example, Mark. We will check out balancedenergyinc.com, as well. Editor 
CNG is the best alternative until we can get to the next step. American owns 70% of it. We wouldnt ...
My husband has a project (protype) that he has been working on for the last 10 yrs for renewable energy ...
Thank you Govenor Ritter for helping place Colorado among the Nations leaders in Renewable energy! 
Thank you for the leadership. I was thrilled when we approved a 10% renewable energy standard, ecstatic when Xcel ...
The key point is their is a 90 yeear supply supply gas in the lower 48 ALONE.
This doesn't take ...