Kansas pushes back against EPA Clean Power Plan, changes state renewables mandate to voluntary

Unlike Colorado’s failed attempt to provide state oversight to proposed Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Power Plan” regulations, Kansas’ legislature has passed requirements for any CPP state implementation plan, including no plan at all, should it conflict with ongoing litigation against the EPA’s power to bring forth the CPP: Kansas governor Sam Brownback (R) signed a […]

Energy Policy Center testimony on SB 44

Energy Policy Center analyst Michael Sandoval offers testimony on behalf of Senate Bill 44 before the House Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs on March 2, 2015. Testimony as prepared: Testimony on behalf of SB 44 CONCERNING A REDUCTION IN COLORADO’S RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD March 2, 2015 State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee Mr(s). […]

2012 snapshot of New Energy Economy’s cost to ratepayers

The numbers are in, and they aren’t pretty. Four of the largest cost driving pieces of legislation enabling Colorado’s New Energy Economy cost Xcel Energy ratepayers nearly half a billion dollars in 2012 alone. Adding insult to injury, some of the electricity produced wasn’t needed in the first place according to a just released report […]

2012 snapshot of New Energy Economy's cost to ratepayers

The numbers are in, and they aren’t pretty. Four of the largest cost driving pieces of legislation enabling Colorado’s New Energy Economy cost Xcel Energy ratepayers nearly half a billion dollars in 2012 alone. Adding insult to injury, some of the electricity produced wasn’t needed in the first place according to a just released report […]

Will state legislature cave to Xcel and eco-left…again?

Colorado already has the most expensive electric rates of all neighboring states and the second highest in the Rocky Mountain West, with projections to go even higher in the near future.  Now, a bill just introduced into the state senate threatens to make Colorado’s energy rates even more expensive. The following is a column from […]

Maine Gov takes aim at renewable energy standard

Apparently Maine, not California (followed closely by Colorado), has the highest renewable energy standard in the country, and Governor Paul LePage wants to get rid of it. According to Gov. LePage, the 44 percent renewable energy requirement puts Maine at an economic disadvantage because it drives up the cost of energy in his state. Maine […]

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. […]

Only job Ritter created was his own

In a recent New York Times editorial former Governor Bill Ritter reveals the magic formula for states with struggling economies – just “create” green jobs the way he did in Colorado! In reality, the only job he created was his own. Ritter starts by empathizing with other governors as they wrestle “with budget issues, making […]

Energy legislation to watch in 2011

The 2011 legislative session began in earnest last week in Colorado.  Below are several bills we are watching. SB11-058 Electric Utilities Employ Least-Cost Planning for New Resource Acquisition Senator Scott Renfroe (R-SD13) is the prime sponsor. The Public Utilities Commission must consider “cost” when deciding on new energy facilities and resource acquisition. Cost to ratepayers […]