Greetings,

As our nation hurtles in frightening directions, keeping up and staying grounded are proving to be a challenge for many of us. But it's good to remember that joining together in groups such as New Energy Colorado can be the best antidote to despair. There is much we can do - from talking to elected representatives to making our own homes more energy efficient, to enjoying the company of others while watching inspiring environmental films.

Sunny regards,

Rebecca Cantwell 

for New Energy Colorado



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Colorado Legislature Tackles Climate Bills

The Colorado legislature is in the thick of its session with plugging a big hole in the state budget top of mind for many lawmakers.

There are a number of energy bills under consideration including these:



• HB25-1040 - Nuclear Energy - Adding as Clean Energy Resource

The bill, which has some support from majority Democrats, passed the Colorado House Energy and Environment committee 8-5 and is slated for a vote by the full House as early as Wed. Feb. 19. The bill has many renewable energy advocates worried because it defines nuclear energy as clean energy and would allow it to be included in clean energy requirements -- thus eligible for programs intended to boost the use of clean energy.

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society is opposing the measure. The group argues that just because nuclear energy does not emit carbon pollution, it can hardly be considered clean as it leaves a toxic legacy for thousands of years.

350Colorado has provided the following information for those who want to take action: Find your Representative and contact info here. Or you can take 30 seconds to send this one-click letter instead which will automatically look up your Rep and send them an email.

• HB25-1096 - Automated Permits for Clean Energy Technology

This measure would require automated permits for residential solar power projects in larger counties. While the goal of bringing down permitting costs is one the solar industry has worked on for years, many are concerned about mandating the one-size-fits-all permits to local governments.

• HB25-1119 - Require Disclosure of Climate Emissions

The bill requires each entity that does business in Colorado and has total revenues exceeding $1 billion in the preceding calendar year to publicly disclose its total greenhouse gas emissions. 

• SB25-030 - Increase transportation choice and reduce emissions

The bill seeks to promote alternative modes of transportation to lower carbon emissions.

• SB25-163 – Battery Stewardship Programs

The bill seeks to promote recycling of batteries to prevent their disposal in landfills. 

Clean Heat Incentives Tripled for Xcel Customers in Colorado

The chaotic start to the Trump Administration has left many of us reeling and worried about what is coming next. Many of the landmark clean energy advances made possible by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act are still in the federal funding pipeline and appear to be at risk. Thousands of workers at the Department of Energy- and across the federal workforce- have been summarily dismissed. Clean energy tax credits and programs under the act may be wiped out.

 But there is a silver lining here in Colorado. In the new Xcel Energy Clean Heat Plan, clean energy advocates successfully convinced state regulators at the Public Utilities Commission to require Xcel to encourage the adoption of efficient electric heating rather than dangerous schemes the utility wanted to pursue such as piping hydrogen into homes. As a result, Xcel has TRIPLED the incentives for qualified heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters. Additionally, incentives for important energy efficiency work such as insulation and air sealing have also scaled way up. But these rebates may expire when budgets are used up, so it’s smart to act quickly.

New Energy Colorado held the first in a series of workshops on heat pumps for interested consumers Feb. 8 and created the table below to show what is currently available and how to learn more. The next workshop is planned for April 17 at Denver's First Universalist Church.

Colorado Environmental Film Festival Runs Feb. 21-23

If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration, the upcoming Colorado Environmental Film Festival will include world-class filmmakers sharing their passion, including nine films with ties to Colorado and more than 60 feature length and short films from 17 countries.

Where: Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus, 924 16^th St., Golden

More information: View CEFF’s complete film guide :https://ceff2025.eventive.org/films

and Home - Colorado Environmental Film Festival

Highlights:

Friday, February 21, 7:00 PM: Opening Night Film + post-film discussion

Bring Them Home / Aiskótáhkapiyaaya tells the story of a small group of Blackfoot people and their mission to establish the first wild buffalo herd on their ancestral territory since the species' near-extinction a century ago. This film shows how a single act would restore the land, re-enliven traditional culture, and bring much-needed healing to their community.

 Saturday, February 22, 2025

5:00 - 7:15 PM: Meet the Filmmakers Party and Awards Ceremony

 Feature Documentary- The Snake and The Whale is an investigative documentary that uncovers antiquated dams on the Lower Snake River that are driving the extinction of fish and killer whales.

 Sunday, February 23, 3:30 PM: Closing Night Film-

Half-Life of Memory: America's Forgotten Atomic Bomb Factory USA takes place in the suburbs of Denver, where the U.S. secretly manufactured thousands of atomic weapons, leaving behind a toxic legacy that will persist for generations.

Upcoming Events

How NOT To Screw Up the Heat Pump Revolution

Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 PM | In Person | JCRES

More information

Managing Peak Demand from Electrification with Efficiency and Flexibility

Tuesday, February 25 at 6:00 PM | Virtual | NCRES

More information

Modernizing Denver's Electric Grid for a Zero-Carbon Future

Thursday, February 20 at 7:00 PM | Hybrid Event | MDCRES

More information

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