Policy
Solar Subsidies, Boulder Drilling Moratorium
Both Extended
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved a plan to extend subsidies for Xcel Energy’s solar-panel program for homes and small businesses, while in Boulder County, Commissioners extended the ban on oil and gas development for an additional 18 months.
19Jun2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
U.S. Forest Service Withdraws Drilling Approval in Gunnison National Forest
At the urging of conservation groups, USFS reverses course on drilling permit in critical big game habitat near the headwaters of the north fork of the Gunnison River.
14Jun2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Colorado Had 400 Oil, Gas Spills in 2012, According to Report
The findings of the report from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and specifically Jim Milne, the agency’s environmental manager, showed 66 of the the incidents required ground or surface water remediation measures.
12Jun2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Colorado Energy Bill Fuels Storm of Controversy
While supporters of the new law claim that the mandates will encourage growth of wind and solar farms in rural areas, boasting employment in those areas, others disagree. A report by Management Information Services, a Washington think tank, estimated the move would cost between two and four billion dollars to implement.
11Jun2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
CDA Explores Small Hydropower Opportunities
Through the “Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy” (ACRE) program, the Colorado Department of Agriculture hopes to create a small hydropower road map for Colorado agriculture. The goal is to identify small hydropower renewable energy opportunities based on the “achievability” of those opportunities.
28May2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Interior Issues New Drilling Rule on Public Land
Companies that drill for oil and natural gas on federal lands will be required to disclose publicly the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations, the Obama administration said. But environmental groups are already labeling the new proposal weaker than last year’s plan.
20May2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Colorado Springs Group Sues to Allow Vote on Fracking Ban
A citizens group said Thursday that it has sued the city of Colorado Springs in an effort to move forward a petition to amend the City Charter to ban oil and gas drilling in the city.
10May2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Front Range Legislative and Regulation Updates
>> RES Bill for Rural Colorado Passes House
>> Arapahoe County OK’s Fast Track Drilling
>> Dems Move on Water Bill Opposed By Governor
>> Higher Drilling Fee Measure Defeated
>> US Energy Gets Fed Approval for Mine
Fracking Is Draining Western Water, Says
Regional Group
Oil and gas extraction practices are permanently removing at least seven billion gallons of water from the hydrologic cycle each year in just four arid western states, according to a new report published by the Western Organization of Resource Councils.
29Apr2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Bill Would Fast Track Permitting For Oil and Gas Companies That Meet “Enhanced” Air, Water Standards
SB 284 requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to provide “expedited air quality permitting” for oil and gas facilities if companies certify they’ll use specific pollution control technology. The same type of criteria will apply to water.
26Apr2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Colorado Springs Gazette Slams Council’s Solar
Gardens Decision
In a weird move to create an appearance of environmental stewardship, the Colorado Springs City Council — which doubles as the board of directors for Colorado Springs Utilities — voted 6-3 in favor of spending tens of millions of dollars on solar gardens. The first phase alone will cost ratepayers $750,000 a year for the next 20 years.
15Apr2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
More Wrangling Over the Roan Plateau
With comments coming in on a revised BLM study for fossil fuel development on Colorado’s Roan Plateau, it’s clear that there’s little common ground between the energy industry and conservation groups.
8Apr2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued
Debate Shows Some Common Ground, Many Differences on Fracking Regulation
The lunchtime debate at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law highlighted some of the conflicting views about the appropriate roles of local and state regulation, as well as larger questions about energy policies.
3Apr2013 | admin | 0 comments | Continued-
Assessing Oil and Gas Influence on State Politics – Two Views
A left-leaning watchdog group released a report late last week that contends the oil and gas industry exerts an outsized influence on Colorado politics, and generous political spending might be the reason. Colorado Ethics Watch does not accuse the oil and gas industry of wrongdoing, but does suggest it benefits from spending so freely to influence politicians.
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Clean Energy Collective is now based in Boulder Colorado. 
Though a small step and almost over 16 years into the die-off of our forests, this effort should be applauded ...
The best ballot initiative is one that will ban initiatives. Otherwise what is the point of electing legislators. 
Thanks for the info Fred! 
Tri-State Board Policy 117 limits member co-op generation to 5%.
LPEA has asked them to lift that for community solar gardens.
https://www.lpea.coop/pdf/board_meeting/resolutions/2012/201213_tristate_policy_117.pdf 
To see this exciting change as "scary" seems incredibly short-sited to me. Between the increasing power demands caused by ...