Xcel Gives Up Plan to Expand Hydropower in Colorado

Pumped-storage hydropower won’t be the answer to Xcel’s need for dispatchable zero-carbon energy. At least not for now. According to the Colorado Sun: Xcel Energy has killed its plan to build a hydropower project in Unaweep Canyon.   The utility on Wednesday morning told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that it was withdrawing its application for a […]

More proof that Xcel’s Colorado Energy Plan won’t save ratepayers money

By Brit Naas A major stipulation of Xcel’s Colorado Energy Plan (CEP) is a reduction in the utility’s coal fired generation. If the Public utilities Commission approves the plan, Xcel will close Comanche Units 1 and 2, which combined are capable of providing 660 megawatts of electricity. In compliance with the CEP, Xcel hopes to […]

FERC nominee Ron Binz the flipper

By Amy Oliver Cooke and Robert Applegate As Ron Binz campaigns to be confirmed as the head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, much of the emphasis has been on his position as an activist for what he considers to be low or no carbon energy sources, predominantly Big Wind. (Forget the fact that wind […]