Proposal would trim Xcel’s sails and start pushing back on natural gas expansion, but falls far short of a major overhaul…
Author: Allen Best
Allen Best publishes the e-journal Big Pivots, which chronicles the energy transition in Colorado and beyond.
BIG PIVOTS: High Hopes for Hydrogen? Maybe Not… Part Two
“If you emit some hydrogen into the atmosphere now, it will lead to a progressive buildup of methane in the following years,” said Princeton’s Matteo Bertagni…
BIG PIVOTS: High Hopes for Hydrogen? Maybe Not… Part One
Both Xcel and Colorado state government issued press releases this week announcing that the states — New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah, in addition to Colorado — had submitted their application…
BIG PIVOTS: A Mystery Within a Climate Change Pep Rally
A press conference to highlight Colorado’s climate and energy bills… but why did the governor now support carbon reduction goals for 2035-2045?
BIG PIVOTS: Water Challenges on the Republican River
Climate scientists issue their latest, stern warning while farmers in Colorado’s Republican River Basin grapple with how to be sustainable…
BIG PIVOTS: What Will a ‘Three Wire Winter’ Do for Lake Powell?
Driving twisting, snow-covered county roads made me tense, but the whitened landscapes blanketed by snows filled me with joy…
A Tale of Colorado’s Biggest and Smallest Coal Mines
Two mines named Elk both increased production in 2022. But long term? By the simple numbers, the outlook does not favor their prospects…
BIG PIVOTS: The Perfect Recipe for Decarbonizing Colorado? Part Two
Schonhaut contends the profits of Xcel should be shaved by about a percentage point. That would save Colorado consumers more than $100 million a year…
BIG PIVOTS: The Perfect Recipe for Decarbonizing Colorado? Part One
“We simply must end our reliance on costly fossil fuels and improve energy security…”
BIG PIVOTS: Emission-Free Electricity?
The new iron-air batteries will be able to use chemical processes to store electricity and then discharge it for up to 100 hours…
Mountain Parks Electric Gives Notice
Mountain Parks Electric has served notice that it intends to leave Tri-State Generation and Transmission by January 16, 2025. “The board looked at a number of factors and made the determination that now would be the time to give notice of our intent to exit,” said Mark Johnston, the general manager of the Granby-based electrical READ MORE
BIG PIVOTS: Reimagining Colorado’s Highways
The pot wasn’t deep enough to produce overpasses such as the one between Pagosa Springs and Durango…
BIG PIVOTS: Less Water, More Food? Part Four
Holsinger says the federal land was likely deteriorated by improper livestock grazing, particularly prior to adoption of the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934…
BIG PIVOTS: Less Water, More Food? Part Three
Healthy soil is full of organisms necessary for growing plants. Wiggling worms demonstrate fecund soil, but most networking occurs on the microscopic level…
BIG PIVOTS: Less Water, More Food? Part Two
Taking the long, big picture view, Colorado spent most of its first 100 to 150 years as a state developing its water resources…
BIG PIVOTS: Less Water, More Food? Part One
Thirty days after sprouting, trays of green and red lettuce, kale, arugula, and mustard greens slide from the greenhouse to be shorn, weighed and sealed in plastic clamshell packages…
OPINION: Renewables Moving Forward in Colorado… But Not in Wyoming
A federal law has slowed our shift to renewables. What will it take to reform it?
BIG PIVOTS: Electric Vehicles at 9.6% of Auto Sales in Colorado
The website points out that going electric can save owners 40% in ongoing maintenance costs and 75% in fuel costs…