Renewable energy standards target of Colo. GOP
By The Associated Press
Monday, January 31, 2011
DENVER — Colorado Republicans are lobbing their first shot at renewable energy requirements they say are hurting consumers.
The state Senate starts work today on a bill undoing a requirement passed last year requiring that utilities get 30 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2020. Senate Bill 71 would roll that requirement back to 10 percent, a renewable energy standard utilities already exceed.
The higher renewable energy standard passed last year allows utilities to charge customers up front for the expense of switching to cleaner energy. Republicans say that it’s driving up power bills and hurting consumers.
However, the Republicans’ plan faces long odds in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
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Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
COSEIA prepares for 2011 Solar Power Colorado expo
COSEIA prepares for 2011 Solar Power Colorado expo
Theo Romeo
Jan 22, 2011
Colorado’s solar industry grew by 91 percent last year. Let’s just let that figure sink in. That number is according to the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, or COSEIA, which is throwing the biggest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the state next month.
Solar Power Colorado, taking place Feb. 9 – 11 in Loveland, Colo., will highlight the state of Colorado’s solar industry and will include panel discussions focusing on the current challenges for the state, future technology and what the future will bring.
One of the major challenges, according to Neal Lurie, COSEIA’s executive director, will be dealing with the sudden blow that Black Hills Energy, a utility provider in the southern portion of the state, dealt the solar community when it unexpectedly cancelled its solar rebate program, which up and died in October, 2010.
“COSEIA is working aggressively as part of a stakeholder process with Black Hills Energy to restart its solar program as quickly as possible,” said Lurie. “We have also started a working group to identify the best options available to restart the solar program so we can bring these recommendations to Black Hills.”
And although other utilities in the state, like Xcel Energy, haven’t pulled the rug out from under the industry yet, Lurie and COSEIA are aware of the difficulty new projects face from start to finish, which will be a hot topic at the event.
“One of our major areas of focus is addressing the problem of excessive permit fees and complexity,” said Lurie. “Fees by state and local governments can cost thousands of dollars and can limit job creation. We’re working with legislators to pass the Fair Permit Act to help reduce fees, cut the red tape and promote economic development.”
But all news is not bad news for Colorado’s solar industry. The growth, for one, is a good sign, but the former governor, Bill Ritter, a champion of renewable energy in the state, was recently replaced by John Hickenlooper, the only gubernatorial candidate last year who didn’t refer to the green economy as mythical. Hickenlooper has said publically that he will continue in the direction Ritter was heading in terms of renewable support.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Governor Hickenlooper to support clean energy development in the months and years ahead,” said Lurie. “We have already met with his staff and have ongoing communication with members of his team. We see tremendous opportunities to work toward our common goals to promote economic development, job creation and to reduce red tape.”
One of the possible solutions to some of the red tape has been a straight-forward feed-in-tariff program, one modeled after Ontario’s. Energy leaders met last week to discuss how the program works, and how/if it could be applied to Colorado’s system.
Lurie and COSEIA are taking it slowly, though, and neither endorsing adoption nor passing on the program until the jury is in.
“Some countries and regions have found feed-in tariffs to be an effective tool for increasing the use of renewable energy,” said Lurie. “Many citizens in Colorado are exploring the pros and cons of a feed-in tariff in our state. COSEIA is involved in these discussions and will continue to evaluate if this is the best approach for Colorado. Our goal is to promote a stable marketplace for businesses to compete, and view feed-in tariffs as one of several mechanisms that could be considered.”
The annual Solar Power Colorado, which is open to the public, will be held at Loveland’s Embassy Suits Conference Center, Feb. 9 – 11. To register for the event, please go to COSEIA’s website
Theo Romeo
Jan 22, 2011
Colorado’s solar industry grew by 91 percent last year. Let’s just let that figure sink in. That number is according to the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, or COSEIA, which is throwing the biggest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the state next month.
Solar Power Colorado, taking place Feb. 9 – 11 in Loveland, Colo., will highlight the state of Colorado’s solar industry and will include panel discussions focusing on the current challenges for the state, future technology and what the future will bring.
One of the major challenges, according to Neal Lurie, COSEIA’s executive director, will be dealing with the sudden blow that Black Hills Energy, a utility provider in the southern portion of the state, dealt the solar community when it unexpectedly cancelled its solar rebate program, which up and died in October, 2010.
“COSEIA is working aggressively as part of a stakeholder process with Black Hills Energy to restart its solar program as quickly as possible,” said Lurie. “We have also started a working group to identify the best options available to restart the solar program so we can bring these recommendations to Black Hills.”
And although other utilities in the state, like Xcel Energy, haven’t pulled the rug out from under the industry yet, Lurie and COSEIA are aware of the difficulty new projects face from start to finish, which will be a hot topic at the event.
“One of our major areas of focus is addressing the problem of excessive permit fees and complexity,” said Lurie. “Fees by state and local governments can cost thousands of dollars and can limit job creation. We’re working with legislators to pass the Fair Permit Act to help reduce fees, cut the red tape and promote economic development.”
But all news is not bad news for Colorado’s solar industry. The growth, for one, is a good sign, but the former governor, Bill Ritter, a champion of renewable energy in the state, was recently replaced by John Hickenlooper, the only gubernatorial candidate last year who didn’t refer to the green economy as mythical. Hickenlooper has said publically that he will continue in the direction Ritter was heading in terms of renewable support.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Governor Hickenlooper to support clean energy development in the months and years ahead,” said Lurie. “We have already met with his staff and have ongoing communication with members of his team. We see tremendous opportunities to work toward our common goals to promote economic development, job creation and to reduce red tape.”
One of the possible solutions to some of the red tape has been a straight-forward feed-in-tariff program, one modeled after Ontario’s. Energy leaders met last week to discuss how the program works, and how/if it could be applied to Colorado’s system.
Lurie and COSEIA are taking it slowly, though, and neither endorsing adoption nor passing on the program until the jury is in.
“Some countries and regions have found feed-in tariffs to be an effective tool for increasing the use of renewable energy,” said Lurie. “Many citizens in Colorado are exploring the pros and cons of a feed-in tariff in our state. COSEIA is involved in these discussions and will continue to evaluate if this is the best approach for Colorado. Our goal is to promote a stable marketplace for businesses to compete, and view feed-in tariffs as one of several mechanisms that could be considered.”
The annual Solar Power Colorado, which is open to the public, will be held at Loveland’s Embassy Suits Conference Center, Feb. 9 – 11. To register for the event, please go to COSEIA’s website
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Solar Power Colorado to highlight state of the industry
Solar Power Colorado to highlight state of the industry
By NCBR staff
LOVELAND — Solar Power Colorado, the largest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the state, will takes place Feb. 9 through 11 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Loveland.
During the conference, executives of some of Colorado’s largest solar employers — including Abound Solar, Advanced Energy, SkyFuel, Ascent Solar and others — will share their views on how the solar industry is changing, current challenges, new technology, and what to look for in the year ahead during the State of the Industry panel discussion.
“Colorado’s solar industry is changing at an unprecedented pace,” said Neal Lurie, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, which produces the annual event. “Solar Power Colorado helps business leaders understand the latest changes to better position their organizations for the tremendous opportunities ahead.”
Colorado’s solar industry has grown significantly during the last several years and now supports about 5,300 solar jobs, more than 400 solar businesses, and has contributed more than $500 million in private investment to the Colorado economy, according to Lurie.
Solar Power Colorado is open to business leaders, professionals, career changers and the general public. For more information and to register, go to www.coseia.org.
By NCBR staff
LOVELAND — Solar Power Colorado, the largest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the state, will takes place Feb. 9 through 11 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Loveland.
During the conference, executives of some of Colorado’s largest solar employers — including Abound Solar, Advanced Energy, SkyFuel, Ascent Solar and others — will share their views on how the solar industry is changing, current challenges, new technology, and what to look for in the year ahead during the State of the Industry panel discussion.
“Colorado’s solar industry is changing at an unprecedented pace,” said Neal Lurie, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, which produces the annual event. “Solar Power Colorado helps business leaders understand the latest changes to better position their organizations for the tremendous opportunities ahead.”
Colorado’s solar industry has grown significantly during the last several years and now supports about 5,300 solar jobs, more than 400 solar businesses, and has contributed more than $500 million in private investment to the Colorado economy, according to Lurie.
Solar Power Colorado is open to business leaders, professionals, career changers and the general public. For more information and to register, go to www.coseia.org.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Andy's Liquor: largest solar powered liquor store in CO
Grand Junction, CO (KKCO)-Drop by Andy’s Liquor Mart on First Street and you'll find the standards, liquor, wine and beer but you'll also find some thing else, deep roots. "We've been in business in Grand Junction for over 30 years," says store manager John Olds. Olds has been working at Andy’s for more than half of that. "I've been here 17 years," he says. Olds will tell you things have changed in the last few years. Olds says, "Customer base is getting more knowledgeable, especially about wine and liquor and of course the micro brews are a big part of the beer business." And Andy’s has made several transitions to keep up with the market. They've hired a buyer to concentrate solely on those micro brews; they also brought Joe Giordano on board as the wine manager. "I love talking to people about wine," says Giordano.
Giordano says like most liquor, wine is all about preference and how you pair it. "Comparison with food is extremely important because they compliment each other," says Giordano. The best compliment you can give him says Giordano is repeat business. "The biggest joy I get out of is when somebody comes back in and they say, 'Joe that case of wine was great.' You know what I mean, or 'that bottle went fantastic with the meal everybody loved it, mix me up another case,'" he says.
Andy’s has also made another huge change; a new building but the biggest improvement is the hardest to see. "We're the largest solar powered liquor store in Colorado," says Olds. A TV screen inside the store shows what the 378 panels are doing outside; helping Andy’s stay in business for several more decades.
If you know of a business that should be featured on our program give us a call at the station 970-243-1111 or send an email to aaron.luna@nbc11news.com.
Giordano says like most liquor, wine is all about preference and how you pair it. "Comparison with food is extremely important because they compliment each other," says Giordano. The best compliment you can give him says Giordano is repeat business. "The biggest joy I get out of is when somebody comes back in and they say, 'Joe that case of wine was great.' You know what I mean, or 'that bottle went fantastic with the meal everybody loved it, mix me up another case,'" he says.
Andy’s has also made another huge change; a new building but the biggest improvement is the hardest to see. "We're the largest solar powered liquor store in Colorado," says Olds. A TV screen inside the store shows what the 378 panels are doing outside; helping Andy’s stay in business for several more decades.
If you know of a business that should be featured on our program give us a call at the station 970-243-1111 or send an email to aaron.luna@nbc11news.com.
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