UTILITIES
Coal To Natural Gas - It’s Happening Now
in the Power Industry
The most optimistic projections describe an abundant domestic energy source that will create enormous numbers of jobs and lead to cleaner skies. Nationwide, the electricity generated by gas-fired plants has risen by more than 50 percent over the last decade, while coal-fired generation has declined slightly.
16Jan2012 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
PUC Denies Xcel Energy Request for Interim
Rate Hike
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday denied a request by Xcel Energy for a $100 million interim rate hike while its full electric rate case is being considered by the Comission.
12Jan2012 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
Coal Extraction Poses Climate Challenge for Obama Administration
Since taking office nearly three years ago, it has restricted coal-mining waste from being dumped into streams and imposed new pollution controls on coal-fired power plants. But on the fundamental question of whether the government should halt federal leasing, Obama’s answer has been: not yet.
26Dec2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
FOLLOW-UP — Energy Efficiency Business Coalition on the DSM Settlement with Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy has developed numerous different products that range in complexity by addressing different energy using segments. Overall, they generally focus on reducing energy usage in the built environment through retail outlets, contractor trade partners and other channels.
19Dec2011 | admin | 3 comments | Continued
Xcel Seeks $142 Million Rate Hike in Colorado
The rate increase will cover costs such costs as $3.1 million for new equipment on power plants to curb mercury pollution, $400,000 for an employee-recognition fund and salary increases of 2.5 percent to 4 percent for workers.
15Dec2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Task Force on Transmission Siting and Permitting Issues Report to Governor, Legislature
While the report does not recommend establishment of a statewide transmission siting authority in Colorado at this time, it does offers three recommendations for improving existing siting and permitting processes.
1Dec2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Xcel Gets PUC Approval for Limon Wind Farm Deal
The utility says the move will be a hedge against natural gas price fluctuations. The charge for the electricity from the Limon facility will start at $27.50 per megawatt-hour. Xcel’s average purchase cost for wind since 2007 has been $42.16.
21Nov2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Coal Mine Decision Sounds Alarm Bells
With a decision looming, this week’s approval of a lease sale for a coal mine expansion in a roadless area near Paonia had the blessings of top officials in Washington, D.C. The bigger mine would require methane vents to be drilled in the roadless area.
17Nov2011 | admin | 3 comments | Continued
Forest Service OKs Coal Lease Expansions on West Slope
The decision helps enable expansion of underground mining. But Jeremy Nichols of the WildEarth Guardians says the decision means nearly 50 well pads and miles of associated roads will be created in the Sunset Trail roadless area.
9Nov2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Obama Pledges Rapid Permits for Seven Major Transmission Projects
The White House said the move will create “thousands” of construction and operations jobs, while transforming the nation’s electric system into a “modern, 21st century grid” that is safer and more secure, giving consumers more energy choices.
6Oct2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued
TECH Update — Radiometrics Expands Systems for Wind Energy and Utility Industries
Utility companies are now using the company’s MP-3000A data to improve short-term energy demand forecasts, and wind stability prediction for wind turbine power generation.
22Sep2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Xcel’s Residential Electrical Rates to Drop in 4th Quarter
In an announcement on Friday, Xcel (NYSE: XEL) said the drop for residential customers is primarily because of the expiration of summertime tiered rates and lower costs to purchase fuel and energy.
19Sep2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Will Decreasing Demand Decimate the
Electric Power Industry?
Read the forecasts from the energy agencies and they all presume that consumption per capita will continue about the same. But consider these trends …
6Sep2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Retiring Xcel CEO: ‘OK if no more coal’
Kelly, who’s apparently moving from Minnesota (where Xcel is based) to Colorado, went on to question those in Congress denying the science behind global climate change and the need to move away from fossil fuels. “I think the science is pretty solid. Maybe we haven’t communicated it well enough.”
22Aug2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
PUC to Take Comment on Black Hills Rate Proposal
Black Hills is seeking to recover the costs of two new natural gas-fired turbines at Pueblo, along with associated infrastructure and other utility expenses. The company is asking that new rates be implemented on Jan. 1, 2012, the projected commercial operations date of the new Pueblo Airport Generation Station.
11Aug2011 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
State PUC Approves Black Hills’ 29 Megawatt
Wind Project
The approval of the settlement enables Black Hills Energy to construct and own 50 percent of the wind project and authorized the company to conduct a competitive solicitation for ownership of the other half. The development south of Pueblo will feature Vestas wind turbines built in-state.
10Aug2011 | admin | 1 comment | Continued-
Shale Gas = $Billions in U.S. Savings
Natural gas prices that slumped to a 10-year low this month could save U.S. consumers $16.5 billion on home energy bills over the course of a year, according to a senior economist at the U.S. Federal Reserve. Projected over several years, the savings could exceed any proposed tax cut.
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You seem to be ignoring the issue that this wind farm -- Limon II -- was touted by Xcel as ...
Ya know what else could save a bundle of money? A serious investment in efficiency, and unlike shale gas, ...
I read your post and and it's nice to be hear that DU offers new
certificate in petroleum land Management ...
Nice job Graham. It's important to note that what constitutes "green jobs" policy in the US is not the ...
Mineral severance has been in existence for 100 - 200 years. Some of the transfers may not have been totally ...
Great work by the EEBC. Yes consumers need to find financing,but the EEBC is also working on this item too. 
There is already a rule on the books that requires title disclosure for severed mineral rights.
It was done in ...