Archive for March, 2011
PUC Raise the Bar on Energy Savings for
Xcel Customers
“We commend Commissioners for ensuring Xcel Energy will go the extra mile to help its customers cut energy waste and use electricity more efficiently,” says Howard Geller of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “There’s no good reason for Xcel customers to be paying higher electricity bills than necessary.”
31Mar2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
Salazar Report Refutes GOP Claim Administration is Blocking Oil and Gas Drilling
Overall, 45 percent of all onshore leases and 57 percent of all leased acres are idle. “The simple truth is approval rates for drilling permits are up, and industry lays idle hands on over 21 million acres of public lands,” said Matt Garrington of the Checks & Balances Project in Denver.
31Mar2011 | admin | 8 comments | Continued
RECS Program: Shaping the Future of Carbon Sequestration
To advance the knowledge base and encourage professional development, the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) was established as the world’s first multidisciplinary intensive CCS summer program.
30Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Governor Signs Law to Increase Transparency on Where Xcel Power Originates
Xcel uses economic models to determine the most cost-effective sources of power — but the modeling and the assumptions behind it are confidential. The new law directs the PUC to develop rules to enable bidders to have Xcel’s modeling data on their bids.
30Mar2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
Raising the Stakes: Ground Zero Law Firm Sues Over Colorado Drilling
A New York law firm that won a major settlement for World Trade Center rescue workers is representing residents of Colorado’s Western Slope who say their health has been impacted by the boom in oil and gas operations in the region. Last week they filed their first lawsuit.
29Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Black Hills Energy Files to Buy 50% Stake of Wind Farm in Huerfano County
“This project is key to our plan to comply with the state renewable energy mandate. Moreover, it will provide local economic development opportunities for southern Colorado,” said Christopher Burke, Operations VP.
28Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Cautionary Udall Still Beats Nuclear Drum
The Senator remains resolute in his support of increased nuclear power as a means of reducing the amount of carbon-spewing fossil fuels being burned to generate electricity and as a way to convert the nation’s transportation system from gas-powered to electric vehicles. In a statement last week, Udall urged caution in moving ahead on nuclear power but reiterated his determination to do so.
28Mar2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
Still Time for Communities to Sign-Up for Energy Savings With Main Street Efficiency Initiative
Cities and towns throughout the state are struggling with a budget squeeze like never before. But the Main Street Efficiency Initiative (MSEI) from the Governor’s Energy Office is one program that offers a roadmap to savings still available for many communities.
25Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
State’s Solar Permit Processes Lag Behind
Best Practices
The new report shows costs still vary widely by municipality due to different permitting plan review processes and other extraneous fees. The result is piecemeal, local permitting practices that are often costly, complex, non-transparent and time-intensive.
25Mar2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
The Niobrara Energy Park Project — Could This Hybrid Be the Future of Energy in Colorado?
The 640-acre project will integrate natural gas and renewable energy generation facilities, including solar and wind energy, with data centers and energy research. With zoning approvals in place, the greenfield project is now process-shovel-ready.
24Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Anadarko Buys Wattenburg Plant for $575.5 Million
According to a BP spokesman, the company’s efforts to raise billions for cleanup and reimbursement costs following the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster factored into the decision to sell the natural gas facility in northeast Colorado.
23Mar2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Groups Seeking to Block BLM Authorization of West Slope Coal Mine Expansion Get Reprieve
“This is a dirty energy disgrace,” said Jeremy Nichols, Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians. His heated rhetoric and that of others paid off — at least temporarily — when the BLM said last week that it would reconsider approval of the mine expansion.
22Mar2011 | admin | 5 comments | Continued
Morning Briefs –
>> Vote on Possible Colorado Nuke Plant Set for April
>> Ascent Solar in New European Deal
>> Report: BLM Land Supports 11,000+ Colorado Jobs
>> Windsor Broadens Regulations for Extraction Operations
>> Energy Company Accused of Ponzi-Like Scheme
>> Epic Energy Resources files for Chapter 11 Reorganization
We need to promote export terminals to liquify and ship natural gas to markets in Asia and Euroupe. The US ...
Natural Gas can be consumed so efficiently that the WATER can even be recovered from the combusted exhaust gases.
Going ...
Lack of funding is a serious obstacle for implementation of audit recommendations. Even small rebates will have little impact ...
Re: Natural gas generation wasn’t included in the final analysis but is generally assumed to emit about half as much ...
Disclosure MIGHT prevent pollution if there was a watchdog agency that ruled yes or no on particular chemicals before they ...
Having just read Tom Gray's article 'Fred Udo's bogus numbers' I get the feeling I haven't understood whats going on. ...
I agree with you kirsch. I knew this article had the stench of industry money as soon add I read ...
Can someone explain how disclosure prevents pollution? They can still release air toxins and they are still not held ...