Snowpack realities must be recognized by all seven Colorado River Basin states, says Becky Mitchell…
Author: Allen Best
Allen Best publishes the e-journal Big Pivots, which chronicles the energy transition in Colorado and beyond.
BIG PIVOTS: Kicking the (Coal) Can Down the Road?
Colorado Springs Utilities wants legislation to let it delay retirement of its last coal-burning unit…
BIG PIVOTS: Rural vs. Urban at History Colorado
Panel discussions often are echo chambers. This session sponsored by Colorado Solar and Storage Association was more interesting…
BIG PIVOTS: Oh, the Irony of Craig No. 1
Trump has ordered the Craig coal unit, planned for retirement, to stay open. But it so happens the unit is broken…
BIG PIVOTS: Going Underground in Palisade, for Heat and Cooling
“You know, if everybody did a little bit of this it would make a huge difference,” he said…
BIG PIVOTS: Weaponizing the Federal Government Against Colorado?
Trump official’s justification for NCAR dismembering flies against the evidence I have seen. But who needs facts?
BIG PIVOTS: Massive Data Center Slated for Northeastern Colorado? Part Two
Might this sparsely settled area of northeastern Colorado become home to a hyperscale data center?
BIG PIVOTS: Massive Data Center Slated for Northeastern Colorado? Part One
“Our facilities are engineered for resilience, sustainability, and energy independence,” says the company…
BIG PIVOTS: Tri-State Electric Association Continues to Lose Members
Wholesale provider for 44 members across four states in 2016 will be down to 35 by December 2027…
BIG PIVOTS: Yes, We Need Coal, But…
A few years ago, Colorado was triumphantly easing out of coal generation in orderly fashion…
BIG PIVOTS: Refusing to Follow Illegal Orders
At Sand Creek, on November 29, 1864, Captain Silas Soule and Lieutenant Joseph Cramer refused to allow their men to participate in the massacre of women and children…
BIG PIVOTS: Crested Butte Takes Megawatt Solar to New Heights
Crested Butte pushes ahead toward decarbonization goals. This project took a team effort…
BIG PIVOTS: How About the Rio Grande Crisis?
The Rio Grande has seen 17% reduced flows since 2000. The Colorado River flows have declined 20%…
BIG PIVOTS: Denver International Airport Looking at Energy Options, Part Two
DIA already self-generates electricity. The 11 solar arrays at the airport can together produce 50 megawatts of electricity…
BIG PIVOTS: Denver International Airport Looking at Energy Options, Part One
Denver airport expects today’s electrical demand of 45 megawatts to expand to 300 to 400 megawatts in the next two decades…
BIG PIVOTS: An Afternoon in Denver’s Industrial Armpit
The refinery is located amid what might be called a municipality’s urban necessities, at least as defined in the mid-20th century…
BIG PIVOTS: You Should Read This Book
“Human Nature” is a serious book that delivers frequent smiles, even some laughs. Plus, you get lessons in Greek mythology…
BIG PIVOTS: Will Data Centers Show Up in Colorado’s Rural Areas? Part Two
Tri-State and its members would also allow data center developers to produce part of their own generation. That tariff is called ‘bring-your-own-resource’…
BIG PIVOTS: Will Data Centers Show Up in Colorado’s Rural Areas? Part One
All the action has been along the Front Range. Could places like Craig and Pagosa Springs be part of the story going forward?