Holy Cross plan could spur local green energy projects
Timing of effort during campaign raises concern from utility critic
SCOTT CONDON
ASPEN CORRESPONDENT
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
ASPEN, Colorado — A new initiative by Holy Cross Energy could spur development of solar and wind farms in the Roaring Fork Valley and possibly hydro and biomass plants.
The Holy Cross board of directors voted at its monthly meeting in May to put out two requests for proposals — one seeking production of up to one megawatt of solar photovoltaic power and another seeking up to 10 megawatts of non-solar energy generation.
Holy Cross currently has nearly 1.5 megawatts of locally produced renewable energy in its power mix, mostly from individual solar electric systems at homes and businesses, said Steve Casey, member services and marketing administrator. The utility cooperative has given $2.2 million in rebates to 260 projects that installed renewable power since September 2004, he said.
The two requests for proposals are an attempt to ramp up the locally produced renewable energy. The request for the solar PV projects will probably be issued in late July or early August with the other request going out soon after.
If there are developers out there “raring to go,” there could be green projects producing power for Holy Cross as soon as late 2011, Casey said. The Holy Cross board will review any proposals that are submitted and make sure it can acquire the electricity at a favorable rate for its members before signing agreements, Casey said.
Any proposal that is accepted would be for home-grown projects in the Holy Cross territory, which includes parts of the Roaring Fork and Eagle valleys as well as the Interstate 70 corridor in Garfield County.
One megawatt of solar PV is enough to fully power about 200 homes. Large-scale biomass and hydro projects operate full-time, round the clock, so their production of green energy is even greater. So, if projects with 11 megawatts of power are constructed it would add enough clean energy for thousands of a homes in the Holy Cross service area.
In addition to seeking the green projects, the Holy Cross board voted unanimously on May 19 to offer up to $250,000 in rebates for medium-scale renewable energy projects that produce between 25 and 100 kilowatts of clean power. The utility already is offering up to $600,000 for smaller renewable energy projects installed by its members, primarily home solar PV systems.
The Holy Cross board's votes come at a time when the utility is under scrutiny by environmentalists for its energy efficiency and renewable energy practices. There are elections this spring for two of the seven positions on the board of directors. Incumbents are being challenged by candidates that want more action faster on efficiency and renewables.
Auden Schendler, director of sustainability for the Aspen Skiing Co. and a Holy Cross watchdog, criticized the utility for the timing of its actions on the renewable energy initiatives.
“It doesn't matter if it was a coincidence or not,” Schendler said. “It's easy enough for Holy Cross to ensure an untainted election by simply delaying by a few weeks anything at all that might influence the election.”
Holy Cross members received their ballot by mail in mid-May. They have until June 5 to vote. In the southern district, which stretches from Aspen to Missouri Heights, incumbent board member Bob Starodoj is facing a challenge from Dave Munk. Environmentalists have mounted a letter-writing campaign in favor of Munk.
In the northern district, in the Eagle Valley, incumbent Michael Glass is facing a challenge from William Maxwell and Erik Lundquist.
Schendler criticized Holy Cross for issuing a recent press release “on how green they are during an election where the incumbents are being attacked for not being green enough.” He believes it favors the incumbents, intentional or not.
Holy Cross board chairman Tom Turnbull said the full board's vote on the renewable energy initiatives was “absolutely not” timed to coincide with the election. The management, staff and directors have work underway on a wide variety of projects. Internal factors dictate when they are ready to be acted on, not politics, he said.
A press release was issued about the board's actions because the entire board agreed Holy Cross needs to do a better job of informing members and the public about its activities.
“I see it as a change of philosophy from going about our own business to tooting our horn a little bit,” Turnbull said.
The bottom line of the board's vote is a greener Holy Cross, which is what many of the utility's critics want. But Schendler said that's not the point.
“This election is about co-op democracy more than anything,” he said. “Most members don't vote, but they have expressed a clear interest in ramped up efficiency programs and renewables that isn't strongly reflected in the board.
“In 1993, Holy Cross was about 5 percent renewable,” he said. “Seventeen years later they are at 11 or 12 percent. Given the scale of the climate crisis, that's not quick enough.”
The two candidates for the contested Roaring Fork Valley seat on the board of directors stayed out of the fray.
Starodoj said the board's vote to seek requests for proposals for renewable energy projects wasn't motivated by criticism it has received during the campaign. The board is following a business strategy, not reacting to critics, he said.
“We put a green initiative in effect in 2004, before anybody was even talking about green,” he said.
Munk applauded the board's actions to potentially incorporate more local, green energy production. He declined comment on whether or not he felt the timing was tied to the election.
“I have no knowledge of any motivations regarding the timing of this, and I won't speculate,” Munk said. “I support all communication between Holy Cross and its members — our co-op should be sharing far more information regarding programs, policies and plans.”
scondon@aspentimes.com
http://www.postindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100528/VALLEYNEWS/100529878/1083&ParentProfile=1074&template=printart
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
GarCo commissioners OK solar farm plan at county airport
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — County commissioners on Monday gave tentative approval to a plan to install a large solar farm at the Garfield County Regional Airport outside Rifle.
The Clean Energy Collective (CEC), a Carbondale-area renewable energy cooperative, is working in partnership with Holy Cross Energy to build the pilot project.
They've identified a site at the southeast corner of the airport that can support an 890-kilowatt solar electric generating station, the CEC's Paul Spencer said at Monday's county commissioners meeting.
It would be the second large solar farm in the Rifle area, following completion in early 2009 of a 2.3-megawatt (2,300 kilowatt) system at the city of Rifle's Energy Innovation Center site on the north side of Interstate 70.
The airport site would be fully owned by Holy Cross customers who choose to opt-in and purchase clean energy in the new community array, Spencer explained. Holy Cross plans to offer customers the same benefits to buy into the system as it would for individual roof-mount systems, including power credits and rebates.
“The CEC will serve as a project facilitator to develop, manage and maintain the project on behalf of Holy Cross and its customers,” Spencer wrote in a project description presented to county commissioners.
“This model will expand the market for clean energy by opening up ownership options to renters, to customers with limited solar access on existing properties, or to people who would like to purchase small fractions of clean energy solutions.”
Airport Director Brian Condie said the site proposed for the solar farm is not likely to be used for aviation purposes for at least 20 years.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to prepare a 20-year lease for the site, with the possibility for two 10-year extensions. If an aviation-related user were to come along in the meantime, the user would have to pay for the relocation of the solar panels.
“This is a good way for Garfield County residents to move toward a clean energy economy, and is more of a free market solution that can be sustainable in the long run,” commented former Glenwood Springs city councilman Dan Richardson, who now works on renewable energy issues for Gov. Bill Ritter's office.
In a related item before the commissioners on Monday, the board decided to wait before it issues a request for proposals to install solar panels on the roof of the riding arena at the fairgrounds in Rifle.
The fairgrounds site was selected as one of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative projects for a $475,000 solar array that could save the county more than $100,000 in electricity charges over the 20-year life of the project.
The installer who wins the contract would be eligible to use an $87,500 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to defray the costs of the installation. However, concerns about how that should be reflected in the contract language prompted commissioners to ask for further revisions before sending the request out.
The Clean Energy Collective (CEC), a Carbondale-area renewable energy cooperative, is working in partnership with Holy Cross Energy to build the pilot project.
They've identified a site at the southeast corner of the airport that can support an 890-kilowatt solar electric generating station, the CEC's Paul Spencer said at Monday's county commissioners meeting.
It would be the second large solar farm in the Rifle area, following completion in early 2009 of a 2.3-megawatt (2,300 kilowatt) system at the city of Rifle's Energy Innovation Center site on the north side of Interstate 70.
The airport site would be fully owned by Holy Cross customers who choose to opt-in and purchase clean energy in the new community array, Spencer explained. Holy Cross plans to offer customers the same benefits to buy into the system as it would for individual roof-mount systems, including power credits and rebates.
“The CEC will serve as a project facilitator to develop, manage and maintain the project on behalf of Holy Cross and its customers,” Spencer wrote in a project description presented to county commissioners.
“This model will expand the market for clean energy by opening up ownership options to renters, to customers with limited solar access on existing properties, or to people who would like to purchase small fractions of clean energy solutions.”
Airport Director Brian Condie said the site proposed for the solar farm is not likely to be used for aviation purposes for at least 20 years.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to prepare a 20-year lease for the site, with the possibility for two 10-year extensions. If an aviation-related user were to come along in the meantime, the user would have to pay for the relocation of the solar panels.
“This is a good way for Garfield County residents to move toward a clean energy economy, and is more of a free market solution that can be sustainable in the long run,” commented former Glenwood Springs city councilman Dan Richardson, who now works on renewable energy issues for Gov. Bill Ritter's office.
In a related item before the commissioners on Monday, the board decided to wait before it issues a request for proposals to install solar panels on the roof of the riding arena at the fairgrounds in Rifle.
The fairgrounds site was selected as one of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative projects for a $475,000 solar array that could save the county more than $100,000 in electricity charges over the 20-year life of the project.
The installer who wins the contract would be eligible to use an $87,500 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to defray the costs of the installation. However, concerns about how that should be reflected in the contract language prompted commissioners to ask for further revisions before sending the request out.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wind, solar can help reduce fuel costs 40 percent in western US
Wind, solar can help reduce fuel costs 40 percent in western US
20 May 2010-- A study says the western United States can accommodate 30 percent wind and 5 percent solar penetration so long as utilities increase coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and change how they schedule generation and interchanges.
GE Energy prepared the report, “Western Wind and Solar Integration Study,” for the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE). It studies the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the mountain and Southwest states, including Arizona Public Service, NV Energy, Xcel Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Four of the five states in WestConnect have renewable portfolio standards that require 15 to 30 percent of annual electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2020 to 2025.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating up to 35 percent wind and solar into WestConnect and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in 2017. The challenge shows it is operationally possible to displace fossil fuels with wind and solar, reducing fuel costs by 40 percent in 2017 compared to not using any wind or solar.
Carbon emissions would decrease by 25 to 45 percent on the high end as more wind and solar is added. With a natural gas price of $3.50 per MBTU, emissions reductions would be greater because coal is displaced instead of gas. Using wind and solar in utility operations reduces operating costs by up to 14 percent, according to the study.
The report also said that for utilities to achieve lower emissions and prices, they have to spread their operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation and interchanges on an intra-hour basis. Extensive additional infrastructure would not be required as long as the changes to operational practices are made, the report said.
NREL and DOE released the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) in April. That study said states along the Eastern Interconnection could switch 20 percent of their power generation from fossil fuels to wind power by 2030 but only with additional investments in transmission specifically from the Midwest.
Read more environmental business news
20 May 2010-- A study says the western United States can accommodate 30 percent wind and 5 percent solar penetration so long as utilities increase coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and change how they schedule generation and interchanges.
GE Energy prepared the report, “Western Wind and Solar Integration Study,” for the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE). It studies the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the mountain and Southwest states, including Arizona Public Service, NV Energy, Xcel Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Four of the five states in WestConnect have renewable portfolio standards that require 15 to 30 percent of annual electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2020 to 2025.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating up to 35 percent wind and solar into WestConnect and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in 2017. The challenge shows it is operationally possible to displace fossil fuels with wind and solar, reducing fuel costs by 40 percent in 2017 compared to not using any wind or solar.
Carbon emissions would decrease by 25 to 45 percent on the high end as more wind and solar is added. With a natural gas price of $3.50 per MBTU, emissions reductions would be greater because coal is displaced instead of gas. Using wind and solar in utility operations reduces operating costs by up to 14 percent, according to the study.
The report also said that for utilities to achieve lower emissions and prices, they have to spread their operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation and interchanges on an intra-hour basis. Extensive additional infrastructure would not be required as long as the changes to operational practices are made, the report said.
NREL and DOE released the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) in April. That study said states along the Eastern Interconnection could switch 20 percent of their power generation from fossil fuels to wind power by 2030 but only with additional investments in transmission specifically from the Midwest.
Read more environmental business news
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Abengoa Begins Operation of 50MW Concentrating Solar Power Plant
Abengoa Begins Operation of 50MW Concentrating Solar Power Plant
05/06/2010
SustainableBusiness.com News
Abengoa Solar, a unit of Spanish corporation Abengoa (ABG.MC), has begun commercial operation of a new 50-megawatts (MW) solar thermal power plant in Spain.
The company said Solnova 1's performance matches the theoretical output of the design, validating the potential of parabolic trough technology for capturing and converting the sun's heat into electricity.
Abengoa Solar built a smaller pilot plant in 2007. And the company has contracts to build two much larger plants in the US--one in California (250 MW) and the other in Arizona (280 MW).
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
In September 2009, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) selected Abengoa Solar to add concentrating solar power to an existing coal-fired power plant near Grand Junction, Colorado.
Website: www.abengoa.com
05/06/2010
SustainableBusiness.com News
Abengoa Solar, a unit of Spanish corporation Abengoa (ABG.MC), has begun commercial operation of a new 50-megawatts (MW) solar thermal power plant in Spain.
The company said Solnova 1's performance matches the theoretical output of the design, validating the potential of parabolic trough technology for capturing and converting the sun's heat into electricity.
Abengoa Solar built a smaller pilot plant in 2007. And the company has contracts to build two much larger plants in the US--one in California (250 MW) and the other in Arizona (280 MW).
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
In September 2009, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) selected Abengoa Solar to add concentrating solar power to an existing coal-fired power plant near Grand Junction, Colorado.
Website: www.abengoa.com
Monday, May 17, 2010
Garfield County giving thought to energy improvements district Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
Garfield County giving thought to energy improvements district
Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
JOHN STROUD
POST INDEPENDENT STAFF
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County is pondering the first step to be able to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements to their homes or businesses.
But one county commissioner believes the decision to form a countywide clean energy finance district should be left up to voters, not the county commissioners.
“I have a philosophical problem with county government being in the loan and finance business … that's not government's job,” County Commission Chairman John Martin said at a Tuesday work session with Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (GNECI) representatives to discuss forming the district.
City and town councils of each of Garfield County's six municipalities have signed letters of support for the county to form the district, and to put a question on the November ballot asking county voters to allow bonds to be issued using state and federal grant money to fund the program.
“I'd much rather see a vote of the people to create the district, and to decide on a bonding mechanism,” Martin said.
Tuesday's discussion came as neighboring counties are moving forward with their own plans to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements, such as solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades.
Eagle County commissioners on Tuesday authorized initial funding for the voter-approved Energy Smart Program, part of a three-county energy improvement district — including Pitkin and Gunnison counties — that was approved by voters last fall.
The program provides fixed-interest loans to property owners for qualified energy improvements. The loans are paid back over a period of time as an add-on to the borrower's property tax bill.
Eagle County voters authorized up to $10 million in bonds to fund the loan program, while Pitkin County agreed to $7 million and Gunnison County's program is for $3 million.
Gov. Bill Ritter is also in Aspen today to sign SB 100, allowing even more flexibility to create cross-boundary energy improvement districts.
The effort also ties in with the goals of another recently passed piece of legislation, HB 1328, the New Energy Jobs Creation Act.
“We are looking to the commissioners to invest in the people of Garfield County to move this district forward and to help put people back to work,” said Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert — who sits on the GNECI advisory board — at Tuesday's meeting with the commissioners.
“This is a mechanism to help allow that to happen,” he said.
Before Garfield County can go to voters to set up bonding to begin to offer loans, it must first take the initiative to form a clean energy improvement district.
County commissioners can form the district by resolution. Or, as commissioner Martin suggested, it can ask voters to both form the district and authorize bonding.
Even though no direct county tax dollars are involved, Martin said he'll have to overcome his philosophical differences with the concept before he can move forward.
“It's still tax dollars, even if it's federal dollars,” he said. “I just don't think this is government's job.”
Commissioner Trési Houpt supports forming the district by resolution.
“The district will only impact those people who opt in,” she said. “This is just a tool to use the money that we've been granted.”
Further discussion about forming the district will take place at the regular May 10 county commissioners meeting.
jstroud@postindependent.com
Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
JOHN STROUD
POST INDEPENDENT STAFF
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County is pondering the first step to be able to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements to their homes or businesses.
But one county commissioner believes the decision to form a countywide clean energy finance district should be left up to voters, not the county commissioners.
“I have a philosophical problem with county government being in the loan and finance business … that's not government's job,” County Commission Chairman John Martin said at a Tuesday work session with Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (GNECI) representatives to discuss forming the district.
City and town councils of each of Garfield County's six municipalities have signed letters of support for the county to form the district, and to put a question on the November ballot asking county voters to allow bonds to be issued using state and federal grant money to fund the program.
“I'd much rather see a vote of the people to create the district, and to decide on a bonding mechanism,” Martin said.
Tuesday's discussion came as neighboring counties are moving forward with their own plans to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements, such as solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades.
Eagle County commissioners on Tuesday authorized initial funding for the voter-approved Energy Smart Program, part of a three-county energy improvement district — including Pitkin and Gunnison counties — that was approved by voters last fall.
The program provides fixed-interest loans to property owners for qualified energy improvements. The loans are paid back over a period of time as an add-on to the borrower's property tax bill.
Eagle County voters authorized up to $10 million in bonds to fund the loan program, while Pitkin County agreed to $7 million and Gunnison County's program is for $3 million.
Gov. Bill Ritter is also in Aspen today to sign SB 100, allowing even more flexibility to create cross-boundary energy improvement districts.
The effort also ties in with the goals of another recently passed piece of legislation, HB 1328, the New Energy Jobs Creation Act.
“We are looking to the commissioners to invest in the people of Garfield County to move this district forward and to help put people back to work,” said Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert — who sits on the GNECI advisory board — at Tuesday's meeting with the commissioners.
“This is a mechanism to help allow that to happen,” he said.
Before Garfield County can go to voters to set up bonding to begin to offer loans, it must first take the initiative to form a clean energy improvement district.
County commissioners can form the district by resolution. Or, as commissioner Martin suggested, it can ask voters to both form the district and authorize bonding.
Even though no direct county tax dollars are involved, Martin said he'll have to overcome his philosophical differences with the concept before he can move forward.
“It's still tax dollars, even if it's federal dollars,” he said. “I just don't think this is government's job.”
Commissioner Trési Houpt supports forming the district by resolution.
“The district will only impact those people who opt in,” she said. “This is just a tool to use the money that we've been granted.”
Further discussion about forming the district will take place at the regular May 10 county commissioners meeting.
jstroud@postindependent.com
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Solar Sales Position
Aggressive Solar Sales person wanted for Grand Junction solar company.
Solar sales experience preferred.
Two to three years outside sales experience required.
Best industry pay.
Immediate availability.
Resume and cover letter required.
References Required.
Send Cover Letter and Resume to wslopesolar@gmail.com
Solar sales experience preferred.
Two to three years outside sales experience required.
Best industry pay.
Immediate availability.
Resume and cover letter required.
References Required.
Send Cover Letter and Resume to wslopesolar@gmail.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Xcel to Scale Back SLV Solar Plans
Xcel to Scale Back SLV Solar Plans
May 5th, 2010 | By admin | Category: Latest Headlines
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
May 5th, 2010 | By admin | Category: Latest Headlines
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Gov. Ritter to sign clean CO energy finance bill
Gov. Ritter to sign clean energy finance bill
in Aspen on Wednesday afternoon
Gov. Bill Ritter will sign Senate Bill 100 on Wednesday afternoon in Aspen. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows multi-county clean energy finance districts.
The bill-signing event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at The Little Nell Hotel, 675 E. Durant Ave., and everyone interested in clean energy is invited to attend.
SB 10-100 allows local improvement districts for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to cross county boundaries and include properties in multiple counties, whether or not the counties are contiguous, if county commissioners of the affected counties agree to share district costs.
The bill also expands the definition of renewable energy improvements for clean energy districts to include solar arrays and other renewable energy systems at community locations, rather than limiting eligible systems to those installed directly on a residential or commercial building.
In related news, Gov. Ritter will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to share Colorado’s success at establishing a New Energy Economy. Colorado now ranks fourth in clean-energy employment, has the second-highest renewable energy standard for utilities in the nation, and has grown its clean-tech sector by double digits even in a recession.
In Washington, Gov. Ritter will deliver keynote remarks to open the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, provide the Environmental Defense Fund’s Board of Trustees with a blueprint of Colorado's New Energy Economy, and make a presentation at the Center for American Progress on the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. HB 10-1365 will convert 900 megawatts of Xcel Energy power production from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas.
in Aspen on Wednesday afternoon
Gov. Bill Ritter will sign Senate Bill 100 on Wednesday afternoon in Aspen. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows multi-county clean energy finance districts.
The bill-signing event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at The Little Nell Hotel, 675 E. Durant Ave., and everyone interested in clean energy is invited to attend.
SB 10-100 allows local improvement districts for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to cross county boundaries and include properties in multiple counties, whether or not the counties are contiguous, if county commissioners of the affected counties agree to share district costs.
The bill also expands the definition of renewable energy improvements for clean energy districts to include solar arrays and other renewable energy systems at community locations, rather than limiting eligible systems to those installed directly on a residential or commercial building.
In related news, Gov. Ritter will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to share Colorado’s success at establishing a New Energy Economy. Colorado now ranks fourth in clean-energy employment, has the second-highest renewable energy standard for utilities in the nation, and has grown its clean-tech sector by double digits even in a recession.
In Washington, Gov. Ritter will deliver keynote remarks to open the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, provide the Environmental Defense Fund’s Board of Trustees with a blueprint of Colorado's New Energy Economy, and make a presentation at the Center for American Progress on the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. HB 10-1365 will convert 900 megawatts of Xcel Energy power production from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Bill would extend life of Cameo power plant
Bill would extend life of Cameo power plant
By Charles Ashby
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A bill that made it out of a House committee Tuesday would keep the Cameo Station power plant east of Grand Junction open eight months longer than currently scheduled.
Introduced by Republican Reps. Steve King of Grand Junction and Laura Bradford of Coll-bran, House Bill 1282 is designed to prevent about 100 jobs associated with the plant from going away.
Xcel Energy, owner of the 50-year-old coal-burning plant, plans to close it at the end of this year. Before that happens, though, the company is using it as an experiment to test the use of solar power in operating such facilities.
King and Bradford said they agree the plant needs to close, but the lawmakers wanted to extend its life a bit longer. That’s because owners of the McClane Canyon Mine, which exclusively feeds the plant, are in the process of expanding into a new mine. But that’s not due to happen until mid-2011.
If the plant closed in December, miners and truck drivers who work at McClane would be laid off until the new mine opens, the lawmakers said.
To prevent those layoffs, the bill delays closure of Cameo until August 2011. The bill now heads to the House floor for more debate.
By Charles Ashby
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A bill that made it out of a House committee Tuesday would keep the Cameo Station power plant east of Grand Junction open eight months longer than currently scheduled.
Introduced by Republican Reps. Steve King of Grand Junction and Laura Bradford of Coll-bran, House Bill 1282 is designed to prevent about 100 jobs associated with the plant from going away.
Xcel Energy, owner of the 50-year-old coal-burning plant, plans to close it at the end of this year. Before that happens, though, the company is using it as an experiment to test the use of solar power in operating such facilities.
King and Bradford said they agree the plant needs to close, but the lawmakers wanted to extend its life a bit longer. That’s because owners of the McClane Canyon Mine, which exclusively feeds the plant, are in the process of expanding into a new mine. But that’s not due to happen until mid-2011.
If the plant closed in December, miners and truck drivers who work at McClane would be laid off until the new mine opens, the lawmakers said.
To prevent those layoffs, the bill delays closure of Cameo until August 2011. The bill now heads to the House floor for more debate.
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