Voters approved Amendment 37 five years ago requiring Colorado's top utility companies to acquire 10 percent of its retail electricity from “clean” sources like wind or solar.
A couple of years later, the renewable energy standard was boosted to 20 percent by 2020 — a goal already reached.
Last week the Colorado House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill 10-1001, legislation that would again expand the state's renewable energy standard to 30 percent by 2020. The measure's sponsors include Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood, Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, and Sens. Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, and Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass.
Utilities were able to reach their previous mandate before the target date of 2020 by buying excess electricity produced on homes, farms and businesses of owners who installed their own solar panels. Distributed Generation, or “on-site” electricity, as it's called, does not require additional transmission facilities to connect to the grid.
Residential renewable businesses have tripled in Colorado since voters first approved the Renewable Energy Standard (Amendment 37) in 2004, according to Environment Colorado. The environmental organization also maintains that photovoltaic installation creates more jobs per megawatt than any other electricity source.
Xcel spokesman Tom Henley said the utility company would “support the bill as long as we can keep it under the 2 percent cap for bill impacts for our customers.”
A 2 percent surcharge for the renewable energy adjustment was born out of Amendment 37, Henley said.
Alan Deslongchamp of Simplicity Solar said he expects utilities like Xcel and Black Ridge to extend rebates making it more feasible for people to install solar on their homes and businesses and provide a source of renewable power for the utilities to purchase.
“The other thing in the bill that is valuable, it requires certification to do solar (installation),” said Heidi Ihrke of High Noon Solar, a company with national certification.
The bill will be voted on the floor of the House once more, before moving to the Senate.
Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, said in an e-mail that she will not vote for the bill.
“HB 10-1001 is one more strike against the already struggling oil and gas industry in Western Colorado. A mandated increase in renewable energy correlates to a decrease in the use of fossil fuels and natural gas, killing jobs right here in Mesa County,” wrote Bradford.
An Environment Colorado press release quotes Colorado AFL-CIO president Mike Cerbo as saying the bill would bring “good, green jobs to the state.”
A spokeswoman for Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he was in the process of reviewing the legislation.
Article from GJ Free Press 17 Feb 2010
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Energy Forum & Expo 2010: Come learn about the future of energy
Falling as it does each year, shortly after the president’s State of the Union address, the Energy Forum & Expo often serves as a reality check on the ambitions of federal policy makers.
Amid the calls for cleaner energy, more investment in “green” jobs and technology and less dependence on foreign oil are a litany of real-world challenges standing in the way.
Some of those hurdles will be enumerated during the Energy Forum & Expo. But promising solutions will be presented as well. Speakers and exhibitors are invited to share their research, long-term projections and cutting-edge technologies regarding the world’s single most important commodity: energy.
Energy drives global markets and factors into production costs for everything we consume, said Kathy Hall, a member of the expo’s organizing committee. It’s also at the heart of debates on national security, foreign policy, the world climate and global economic development.
And western Colorado is uniquely positioned to meet the country’s demand for more energy – whether it’s clean or conventional.
“You name it, we have it: coal, gas, oil shale, uranium, solar, geothermal and on and on ... it’s an economic solidity that we’ve always had, whether we exploit it or not,” Hall said.
“The focus of the expo has never changed,” Hall added. “We’ve always been about looking at the future of energy and positioning ourselves to develop our vast resources in an environmentally-sensitive way to secure a strong economic base and a safe, prosperous future for our children.”
The Daily Sentinel published a week-long series, “Energy Alley,” starting Dec. 27, 2009, which provided a detailed inventory of the wealth of energy sources in this region. (The first story of the series is included in this program and the entire series will be republished in March as part of the Sentinel’s annual “Portrait” series.)
Hall, a former Mesa County commissioner, commended the series because it illustrated a message the Energy Forum & Expo has been trying to impart for five years – that western Colorado is well positioned to play a major role in America’s future energy needs.
The series also dovetailed with the expo’s mission of educating people to effect change.
“If citizens do not force politicians to do something, then nothing will get done,” Hall said, adding, “I can say that as a recovering politician.”
ENERGY FORUM & EXPO CO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
TWO RIVERS
CONVENTION CENTER
8:00AM—4:00PM
Amid the calls for cleaner energy, more investment in “green” jobs and technology and less dependence on foreign oil are a litany of real-world challenges standing in the way.
Some of those hurdles will be enumerated during the Energy Forum & Expo. But promising solutions will be presented as well. Speakers and exhibitors are invited to share their research, long-term projections and cutting-edge technologies regarding the world’s single most important commodity: energy.
Energy drives global markets and factors into production costs for everything we consume, said Kathy Hall, a member of the expo’s organizing committee. It’s also at the heart of debates on national security, foreign policy, the world climate and global economic development.
And western Colorado is uniquely positioned to meet the country’s demand for more energy – whether it’s clean or conventional.
“You name it, we have it: coal, gas, oil shale, uranium, solar, geothermal and on and on ... it’s an economic solidity that we’ve always had, whether we exploit it or not,” Hall said.
“The focus of the expo has never changed,” Hall added. “We’ve always been about looking at the future of energy and positioning ourselves to develop our vast resources in an environmentally-sensitive way to secure a strong economic base and a safe, prosperous future for our children.”
The Daily Sentinel published a week-long series, “Energy Alley,” starting Dec. 27, 2009, which provided a detailed inventory of the wealth of energy sources in this region. (The first story of the series is included in this program and the entire series will be republished in March as part of the Sentinel’s annual “Portrait” series.)
Hall, a former Mesa County commissioner, commended the series because it illustrated a message the Energy Forum & Expo has been trying to impart for five years – that western Colorado is well positioned to play a major role in America’s future energy needs.
The series also dovetailed with the expo’s mission of educating people to effect change.
“If citizens do not force politicians to do something, then nothing will get done,” Hall said, adding, “I can say that as a recovering politician.”
ENERGY FORUM & EXPO CO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
TWO RIVERS
CONVENTION CENTER
8:00AM—4:00PM
Saturday, February 13, 2010
CoSEIA Annual Conference & Expo
CoSEIA Annual Conference & Expo
Building a Sustainable Solar Economy
February 17-19, 2010
Sheraton Denver West
360 Union Boulevard. Lakewood, CO 80228
CoSEIA brings the solar industry together once again for two full days including meetings, workshops, panel discussions, exciting speakers, networking, the vendor expo and more. This will be the biggest solar event in the state and will focus on sustaining Colorado's Solar Economy.
Rally to the Capitol Wednesday, February 17th - Rally to the Capitol followed by a Welcome Reception that will allow plenty of opportunity to mingle and renew old acquaintances. Sponsors for reception are welcomed! | Rally Flyer & Map>
Thursday, February 18th - Vendor Expo, Conference & Annual Meeting. The morning session will be followed by the members-only annual meeting and announcement of new board members. The vendor expo continues throughout the day from morning to evening.
Friday, February 19th - Vendor Expo and Workshops. Focus shifts to education, bringing you a full day of workshops taught by renowned industry experts Bill Brooks and John Siegenthaler.
Sponsors and exhibitors for this one-of-a-kind event are currently being sought! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to connect with Colorado's solar leaders. Reducing your carbon footprint? Track your travel offset at Colorado Carbon Fund's Project C>
Building a Sustainable Solar Economy
February 17-19, 2010
Sheraton Denver West
360 Union Boulevard. Lakewood, CO 80228
CoSEIA brings the solar industry together once again for two full days including meetings, workshops, panel discussions, exciting speakers, networking, the vendor expo and more. This will be the biggest solar event in the state and will focus on sustaining Colorado's Solar Economy.
Rally to the Capitol Wednesday, February 17th - Rally to the Capitol followed by a Welcome Reception that will allow plenty of opportunity to mingle and renew old acquaintances. Sponsors for reception are welcomed! | Rally Flyer & Map>
Thursday, February 18th - Vendor Expo, Conference & Annual Meeting. The morning session will be followed by the members-only annual meeting and announcement of new board members. The vendor expo continues throughout the day from morning to evening.
Friday, February 19th - Vendor Expo and Workshops. Focus shifts to education, bringing you a full day of workshops taught by renowned industry experts Bill Brooks and John Siegenthaler.
Sponsors and exhibitors for this one-of-a-kind event are currently being sought! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to connect with Colorado's solar leaders. Reducing your carbon footprint? Track your travel offset at Colorado Carbon Fund's Project C>
Thursday, February 11, 2010
True cost is high for nuclear energy
Nuclear energy proponents are touting their fallacies again. They don’t seem to realize that tons of fossil fuels are typically used (for electricity and heating) in constructing and operating mining and milling processes necessary for nuclear plants.
This includes massive numbers of truck and cart hauls of uranium ore and wastes. Low-level radioactive dust infiltrates the air and waterways everywhere this transporting takes place. Small amounts of mutagenic or carcinogenic radioactive isotopes like xenon, krypton, argon and tritium are often discharged into the air from nuclear plants’ stacks, too.
Nuclear cheerleaders espouse the low cost of the actual energy generation from their process compared to other fuels, but they conveniently leave out the cost of building the actual plant. A new nuclear plant realistically costs almost $11 billion now. That and other factors make a nuclear plant’s 7.5 cents per kwh energy cost more than many of the renewable-energy generation methods — and that is with stupefying taxpayer subsidies for nuclear.
These taxpayer subsidies include the biggest share of U.S. Energy Department research and development costs, $54 billion for 100 percent guaranteed federal loans, outright construction funds, waste clean-ups (like our own region’s $ 2.3 billion program), storage facilities security, 90 percent of a potential companies’ liability costs, a bloated Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a $930 million annual budget, higher health insurance costs for us all due to related disease, $150,000 federal compensation and full-time nursing care for impacted nuclear industry employees, and all kinds of local and state governmental employees required to permit and monitor radioactive operations.
If solar energy would have had the money that went to nuclear the last three decades, the United States could now be using the sun for most of our daytime energy and the cleanest natural-gas power plants for our nighttime and other backup needs.
JOEL PRUDHOMME Grand Junction
This includes massive numbers of truck and cart hauls of uranium ore and wastes. Low-level radioactive dust infiltrates the air and waterways everywhere this transporting takes place. Small amounts of mutagenic or carcinogenic radioactive isotopes like xenon, krypton, argon and tritium are often discharged into the air from nuclear plants’ stacks, too.
Nuclear cheerleaders espouse the low cost of the actual energy generation from their process compared to other fuels, but they conveniently leave out the cost of building the actual plant. A new nuclear plant realistically costs almost $11 billion now. That and other factors make a nuclear plant’s 7.5 cents per kwh energy cost more than many of the renewable-energy generation methods — and that is with stupefying taxpayer subsidies for nuclear.
These taxpayer subsidies include the biggest share of U.S. Energy Department research and development costs, $54 billion for 100 percent guaranteed federal loans, outright construction funds, waste clean-ups (like our own region’s $ 2.3 billion program), storage facilities security, 90 percent of a potential companies’ liability costs, a bloated Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a $930 million annual budget, higher health insurance costs for us all due to related disease, $150,000 federal compensation and full-time nursing care for impacted nuclear industry employees, and all kinds of local and state governmental employees required to permit and monitor radioactive operations.
If solar energy would have had the money that went to nuclear the last three decades, the United States could now be using the sun for most of our daytime energy and the cleanest natural-gas power plants for our nighttime and other backup needs.
JOEL PRUDHOMME Grand Junction
Monday, February 1, 2010
Fruita officials will put dollars into solar energy at new center
Fruita officials will put dollars into solar energy at new center
By Mike Wiggins
Monday, January 11, 2010
The city of Fruita plans to install a solar energy system in its new community center, a move to go green that city officials hope will also save it some green in the long run.
City officials are sorting through 11 bids they received from companies seeking to build a series of solar panels on the roof of the $11.2 million facility that is expected to open in a year.
Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said initial estimates are that the 100-kilowatt system would provide up to 30 percent of the electricity needed to run the community center.
“Our goal for the city is to try to use renewable energy and be as green as possible,” he said. “We’re also trying to be fiscally responsible.”
To that end, Nycum said the city plans to forge an agreement with whichever company the city chooses that would call for that company to pay for the installation of the solar panels. The city would purchase power from the company — Nycum said Fruita hopes to lock in that price at a rate that’s less than what it pays Xcel Energy — while Xcel would give the company tax credits.
The company would own the solar panels for 20 years. After that, the city would have the option of purchasing them, Nycum said.
Ultimately, he said, the agreement should benefit all three parties involved: The city will run part of its community center on less-expensive, renewable energy, the solar-panel company will be paid by both the city and Xcel Energy, and Xcel will take another step toward meeting a state requirement that it produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020.
Nycum said the city hopes to select a firm to install the system by February.
By Mike Wiggins
Monday, January 11, 2010
The city of Fruita plans to install a solar energy system in its new community center, a move to go green that city officials hope will also save it some green in the long run.
City officials are sorting through 11 bids they received from companies seeking to build a series of solar panels on the roof of the $11.2 million facility that is expected to open in a year.
Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said initial estimates are that the 100-kilowatt system would provide up to 30 percent of the electricity needed to run the community center.
“Our goal for the city is to try to use renewable energy and be as green as possible,” he said. “We’re also trying to be fiscally responsible.”
To that end, Nycum said the city plans to forge an agreement with whichever company the city chooses that would call for that company to pay for the installation of the solar panels. The city would purchase power from the company — Nycum said Fruita hopes to lock in that price at a rate that’s less than what it pays Xcel Energy — while Xcel would give the company tax credits.
The company would own the solar panels for 20 years. After that, the city would have the option of purchasing them, Nycum said.
Ultimately, he said, the agreement should benefit all three parties involved: The city will run part of its community center on less-expensive, renewable energy, the solar-panel company will be paid by both the city and Xcel Energy, and Xcel will take another step toward meeting a state requirement that it produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020.
Nycum said the city hopes to select a firm to install the system by February.
Powerhouse Gym ‘goes green’
Powerhouse Gym ‘goes green’
Tom Bishop, general manager of Powerhouse Gym, throws a plastic water bottle into the recycling bin.
By Richie Ann Ashcraft
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Powerhouse Gym has a made a commitment to members and the Grand Junction community to do its part to reduce the gym’s carbon footprint on the world.
Tom Bishop, general manager of the 24-hour facility, said he saw a significant need to practice greener ways within the gym.
For example, gym members consume between 5 to 8 cases of protein and electrolyte drinks per day. Most of those plastic bottles were ending up in the trash until Bishop added recycling bins for plastics.
“With 900 members the impact we make on the environment is pretty significant,” Bishop said.
Staff has changed from harsh chemicals to green cleaning products, which they now use to disinfect the workout machines throughout the day.
“I started to take a look at how cost effective it would be to switch cleaning products and it turned out to be the same, and sometimes cheaper, to switch,” Bishop said.
Next Bishop tackled the energy problem that running multiple television sets and exercise equipment such as treadmills created. Just last week, the gym had a 20,000 kilowatt solar system installed on the roof by Atlasta Solar to solve that problem.
“We had it all designed so that it would take care of most of our daily energy needs,” Bishop said, “It should be powering virtually everything in here all day.”
Much of the cost of the new system was covered by government and local rebates. “We got at least $115,000 in rebates,” Bishop said.
Bishop switched all the light bulbs to Energy Star fluorescent bulbs with motion sensors so that lights would not be running in the middle of the night if nobody was in the gym working out.
Bishop even drives a SmartCar when he has errands to run for the gym. The tiny car also serves as mobile advertising.
“We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as we can,” Bishop said of all the changes the gym has made to “go green.”
In honor of its environmental stewardship, Powerhouse Gym is offering the “Get Lean-Go Green” special this month. New memberships are available for only $19 a month and no sign-up fee is required. The gym is located at 2460 F Road, Unit 5. For information, call 242-9099.
Tom Bishop, general manager of Powerhouse Gym, throws a plastic water bottle into the recycling bin.
By Richie Ann Ashcraft
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Powerhouse Gym has a made a commitment to members and the Grand Junction community to do its part to reduce the gym’s carbon footprint on the world.
Tom Bishop, general manager of the 24-hour facility, said he saw a significant need to practice greener ways within the gym.
For example, gym members consume between 5 to 8 cases of protein and electrolyte drinks per day. Most of those plastic bottles were ending up in the trash until Bishop added recycling bins for plastics.
“With 900 members the impact we make on the environment is pretty significant,” Bishop said.
Staff has changed from harsh chemicals to green cleaning products, which they now use to disinfect the workout machines throughout the day.
“I started to take a look at how cost effective it would be to switch cleaning products and it turned out to be the same, and sometimes cheaper, to switch,” Bishop said.
Next Bishop tackled the energy problem that running multiple television sets and exercise equipment such as treadmills created. Just last week, the gym had a 20,000 kilowatt solar system installed on the roof by Atlasta Solar to solve that problem.
“We had it all designed so that it would take care of most of our daily energy needs,” Bishop said, “It should be powering virtually everything in here all day.”
Much of the cost of the new system was covered by government and local rebates. “We got at least $115,000 in rebates,” Bishop said.
Bishop switched all the light bulbs to Energy Star fluorescent bulbs with motion sensors so that lights would not be running in the middle of the night if nobody was in the gym working out.
Bishop even drives a SmartCar when he has errands to run for the gym. The tiny car also serves as mobile advertising.
“We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as we can,” Bishop said of all the changes the gym has made to “go green.”
In honor of its environmental stewardship, Powerhouse Gym is offering the “Get Lean-Go Green” special this month. New memberships are available for only $19 a month and no sign-up fee is required. The gym is located at 2460 F Road, Unit 5. For information, call 242-9099.
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