Regulators expand their authority, play politics with carbon at ratepayer expense

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Brit Naas In a decision that evokes former President Obama’s environmental agenda, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on March 23, 2017, expanded its authority in a way that’s likely to drive up electricity rates. Every four years, Xcel Energy undergoes a resource planning process that outlines their ability to meet ratepayers’ electricity demand. […]

December 10 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: Fracking ban faces CO Supremes; fracktivist compares technology to slavery; House GOP calls Interior EPA spill report a “whitewash”

Yesterday, the Colorado Supreme Court heard arguments over Longmont’s fracking ban: On Wednesday, the state’s highest court will consider Longmont’s voter-approved ban on hydraulic fracturing within city limits. Longmont voters added the ban to the drilling method, also called fracking, to the City Charter in 2012, convinced that a city-negotiated set of regulations on oil […]

December 10 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: Fracking ban faces CO Supremes; fracktivist compares technology to slavery; House GOP calls Interior EPA spill report a "whitewash"

Yesterday, the Colorado Supreme Court heard arguments over Longmont’s fracking ban: On Wednesday, the state’s highest court will consider Longmont’s voter-approved ban on hydraulic fracturing within city limits. Longmont voters added the ban to the drilling method, also called fracking, to the City Charter in 2012, convinced that a city-negotiated set of regulations on oil […]

December 3 Colorado Energy Cheat Sheet: US House resolutions push back on Clean Power Plan, rail vs. pipelines in Denver, Gold King Mine owner has strong words for EPA

The U.S. House passed two resolutions on the Clean Power Plan and carbon emissions this week: The House sent a resounding message to the nations gathering in Paris for international talks on climate change by approving two Senate resolutions to block President Obama’s restrictions on power plants. The resolutions now go to Obama. When the […]

Fix is in: Senator misses testimony, knows to vote with Xcel

Senator Betty Boyd, a democrat member of the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, was not present in the committee hearing for any of the testimony either for or against HB 1172, the carbon tax repeal. Yet she knew exactly how to vote — against electricity ratepayers, against the environment, and for Xcel Energy. According […]

Breaking news: carbon tax repeal passes Colorado state house

Good news for Xcel Energy ratepayers. HB 1172 “no imputed carbon tax”, Representative Spencer Swalm’s second attempt to repeal Colorado’s carbon tax, passed the state House on third reading this morning. It is now headed to the Colorado Senate with Senator Ted Harvey as the sponsor. Details of the recorded vote to follow when available.

Quote of the day

During the discussion phase of HB 1172, Representative Spencer Swalm’s bill to repeal Colorado’s “phantom carbon tax,” Representative Marsha Looper (R-Calhan) stated: Whenever we have an opportunity to repeal a tax, especially a phantom tax…it behooves me to do so. I will be supporting it [HB 1172]. As posted earlier, HB 1172 moved out of […]

Xcel admits what "clean energy" advocates won't

Normally reading an energy compliance plan is about as exciting as watching low VOC paint dry.  But Xcel Energy‘s 2012 Renewable Energy Standard Compliance Plan, filed with the Public Utilities Commission in May 2011, has some pretty powerful stuff in it including admissions about Colorado’s “phantom carbon tax” and the cost effectiveness of renewable energy. […]