wind energy - Independence Institute

Gone with the Wind: IRS can’t measure effectiveness of $14 billion dollars in green energy subsidies

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that IRS tax subsidies to green energy operators have resulted in $15.1 billion in foregone revenue to the federal government, $13.7 billion of which was lost to renewable energy projects. The GAO has sounded its concern that Congress cannot evaluate the effectiveness of Investment Tax […]

July 2 Colorado Energy Roundup: New Belgium signs 'Brewer's Climate Declaration'

More reaction from the ongoing Colowyo Mine saga in northwest Colorado, as Colorado Public Radio profiled residents from the community on what the possible mine closure would mean: It’s been nearly two months since a judge required the federal government to take another look at a 2007 mining plan it approved for the Colowyo Mine […]

July 2 Colorado Energy Roundup: New Belgium signs ‘Brewer’s Climate Declaration’

More reaction from the ongoing Colowyo Mine saga in northwest Colorado, as Colorado Public Radio profiled residents from the community on what the possible mine closure would mean: It’s been nearly two months since a judge required the federal government to take another look at a 2007 mining plan it approved for the Colowyo Mine […]

Big Wind and Solar Oppose Clean Energy

By Lexi Osborn In the upcoming weeks, House Bill 1118 will be up for debate in the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. This bill eliminates the restrictions on the hydroelectricity and pumped hydroelectricity that can be counted as a “renewable energy resource” to meet Colorado’s renewable energy standard. Currently, hydroelectricity is only counted towards […]

Sputtering Wind Energy Prompts Transmission Cost Concerns from Xcel

Growing transmission costs for wind-generated electricity have prompted Xcel Energy to seek approval for rate hikes to smaller utilities using Xcel’s transmission lines to reach their consumers: Xcel wants the utilities to pay for its costs associated with having supplies of reserve power ready to go in case the wind suddenly dies, said Terri Eaton, […]

Coloradans can’t rely on subsidy-dependent wind energy

This op-ed first appeared in the Greeley Tribune By Michael Sandoval When Coloradans flip on their lights or crank up their heat, they expect their electricity to be affordable, and at the very least, reliable. But the state Legislature and Gov. John Hickenlooper are forcing the opposite on Colorado — expensive and unreliable wind energy. […]

HB 1113 Testimony, Bill Voted Down 8-5

Valerie Richardson of The Colorado Observer provides background on HB 1113’s 8-5 defeat in committee, as well as other efforts to deal with last year’s SB 252 impact on rural Colorado. Full text of testimony presented by the Independence Institute: Testimony on behalf of HB 1113 Electric Renewable Energy Standard Reduction, Room 0112 January 30, […]

January 23 Energy Roundup: Fracking Dishonesty; Interior Sec. Jewell Boots Press

Periodically, the Independence Institute’s Energy Policy Center will take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly in energy stories from around the United States and abroad, and bring the best (and worst) of those stories to your attention. 1. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell may have violated Colorado Open Meetings Law […]

No, Wind Turbines Didn't Keep Texas Grid Online

Wind energy kept Texas powered earlier this week, according to supporters of the renewable energy power source. Plunging temperatures as a result of the polar vortex pushed energy generation across the country above normal winter levels, including Texas: ERCOT said demand for electricity today reached 55,486 megawatts between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. That’s short […]

No, Wind Turbines Didn’t Keep Texas Grid Online