ENERGY - Legal - Independence Institute

Xcel paying power producers to take excess electricity?0
- May 2, 2017
I've documented that Xcel Energy has excess electricity generation capacity. I just didn't realize how much. According to a source close to an electricity wholesaler and generator, "Right now they can buy power cheaper than they can make it. A week or two ago Excel [sic] was paying us $18 a MW to buy power fromREAD MORE
Scathing PUC Chair dissent blasted economics of Demand-Side Management 0
- April 30, 2017
Supporters of so-called Demand-Side Management (DSM) say it’s an economic development tool. That’s not true. DSM is a misguided, harmful transfer payment from low income ratepayers with no choice to a preferred group of ratepayers, often commercial and industrial. No one makes this argument better than former Colorado PUC Chairman Ray Gifford, now a partner atREAD MORE
The absurdity of Demand Side Management and social engineering electricity use 0
- April 27, 2017
“For every dollar spent, consumers save $1.77,” say supporters of so-called Demand Side Management (DSM) programs. Want to really save ratepayers money? How about not incentivizing utility monopolies to spend the dollar in the first place and just let ratepayers save 77 cents or more through lower electric rates? Here is the gist of DSM:READ MORE

Are Industrial Wind Farms Harmful?0
- April 19, 2017
Two issues surround whether industrial wind is the healthy alternative energy source some claim it to be. Both issues involve noise created from the constant turning of industrial blades: there is an obvious audible sound and a more subtle infrasound. These sound issues, audible sound and infrasound, are known to cause sleep disturbances and other
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Lack of Sound Impact Study Brings NextEra’s Zoning Permit Into Question 0
- April 17, 2017
By Kohl Watson with contributor Amy Cooke Is the Golden-View Wind Farm in Calhan, Colorado out of compliance with state law and county requirements? Since the industrial blades began spinning in 2015, residents have made 23 calls regarding noise levels from the industrial wind farm. Despite the numerous calls, which the El Paso County Sheriff’s
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Irresponsible by ratepayers: bill looks to rein in Xcel’s abuse of power over developers 0
- April 6, 2017
Working with Xcel Energy, the state’s largest monopoly utility, is worse than working with the State of Colorado because at least there is way to hold the state accountable through elected officials. Since Xcel is a private monopoly and PUC puppet master, it’s the only game in town. Residential and business ratepayers have no choiceREAD MORE

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