Quality of life blows in shadow of Golden-West industrial wind farm
By Kohl Watson with contributor Amy Cooke Advocates of industrial wind espouse the benefits of “clean” and “free” energy. And yet, self-described environmentalists don’t acknowledge the human cost. Since the Golden-West industrial wind farm in Calhan, Colorado began operating in late 2015, some residents of the quaint town have paid a physical and emotional price […]
EPA social media machine put on hold
This is the first presidential transition of complete social media saturation, and it should come as no surprise that the Trump Administration wants control of social media accounts from activist agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where some staffers have threatened to undermine the new administration. According to an online media report, the […]
Irresponsible by Nature: No Need for, No Need to Rush Rush Creek Wind Project
If the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rushes approval of Xcel Energy’s proposed wind project Rush Creek – as the utility wants – the Commission will not be serving the best interests of Coloradans, Xcel’s 1.4 million ratepayers, or wildlife and, indeed, will have an adverse impact on all Americans. There is nothing to be gained and everything to be lost by allowing the utility to rush this project through without Xcel, interested parties, and others having the opportunity to study its economic and environmental impact.
Victory for II Legal Action
Validation for Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and relief for ratepayers. We applaud the SCOTUS decision.
New Belgium back at it, pushing for coal-killing Clean Power Plan
During the last decade, Colorado has become renowned, and rightly so, for its craft beer mastery. With more than 230 microbreweries in the state, we have the highest concentration of breweries per capita. Thank goodness for the vast selection of quality suds, otherwise I might have to purchase New Belgium beers, and become a de […]
February 4 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: Local governments face production-related revenue downturn; more red tape sought for resource development; Wyoming’s cautionary tale
Pushing for bans on fracking or other measures to limit responsible natural resource development will only exacerbate problems at the local level, putting education, infrastructure, and other critical services at risk, on top of the drop noted here in the Denver Post due to commodity prices tanking: Because 97 percent of Platte Valley’s budget comes […]
January 27 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: COGCC rulemaking pleases no one; anti-fracking measures disastrous for Colorado economy; pushing back against Clean Power Plan
Even small changes to oil and gas regulations can have deep and damaging effects on Colorado’s economy, according to researchers at the University of Colorado: A statewide, 2,000-foot buffer zone between drilling rigs and homes, schools and businesses would take a hammer to Colorado’s oil and gas industry, already reeling from low commodity prices, as […]
January 20 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: Billionaire Steyer plays CO politics; NM files intent to sue EPA over mine spill
Independence Institute associate energy policy analyst Simon Lomax has the latest on green billionaire Tom Steyer’s efforts to tilt the legislative balance in Colorado in 2016: San Francisco billionaire activist Tom Steyer is getting more deeply involved in Colorado politics than ever before. After spending more than $350,000 on research and polling in the Centennial […]
War on Coal: Sec. Jewell’s comments on fed coal halt
Costly fees and additional regulations, along with a three year programmatic environmental impact statement: Secretary Jewell Launches Comprehensive Review of Federal Coal Program Implements Pause on New Coal Leasing while Review is Underway; Announces Additional Transparency, Good Government Initiatives to Modernize Program WASHINGTON – Secretary Sally Jewell announced today that the Interior Department will launch […]
January 13 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: Oil and gas drive Colorado’s economy, but outlook uncertain; Western Slope feels effects of regulation; WOTUS repeal?
Oil and gas development contributes a rather large percentage to Colorado’s economic condition, and new numbers confirm its continued importance to the state: A new economic report shows that oil and gas development contributed billions to Colorado’s economy in 2014 generating benefits that researchers conclude “impact every citizen in the state.” Prepared by the Business […]
January 6 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: fracking foes awaken; legislative session promises energy battles; EPA and Gold King Mine saga
Let’s start with the obvious–the anti-fracking forces have reignited their campaign to ban hydraulic fracturing, and want to do away with property rights too, according to this Gazette editorial: CREED, an umbrella of sorts for anti-energy activists, wants an outright ban on fracking with a proposal known as Initiative 62. In addition to banning all […]
December 30 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: the anti-fracking force awakens; EPA receives a lump of coal in its budgetary stocking; pot is not green
Theeeeeeey’re baaaaaack! As promised, the anti-energy, anti-fracking folks have delivered nearly a dozen ballot initiatives that focus on either banning hydraulic fracturing altogether or a host of other setback measures. The group has cleverly dubbed themselves Coloradans Resisting Extreme Energy Development, or CREED, likely to inspire confusion among voters who might be only familiar with […]
