Welcome to the June Newsletter! |
|
Action Alert: Protect the Gulf of Mexico, Prevent Oil/Gas Protections
It is believed that Senate Leader Schumer has agreed to incorporate new Gulf of Mexico oil/gas leases within the latest Build Back Better Act draft. The language of this requirement would halt all efforts to reduce lease sales and remove public comment periods. To take action, call Senator Schumer’s office today at 202-224-2158 with this message (or see these notes);
“Senator Schumer must not sacrifice the Gulf of Mexico to pass 3rd tier climate legislation. Do not allow any language in the budget reconciliation bill that would force oil and gas leasing.”
|
|
Upcoming Event: EOF Empower Hour on Community Choice Energy
Join Empower Our Future and Geof Syphers, CEO of Sonoma Clean Power, for a conversation on lessons learned from CA for Community Choice Energy in Colorado.
When: July 21, 6 pm
Where: Virtual, Register HERE
|
|
Environmental Justice Task Force Releases Draft Recommendations
Colorado’s Environmental Justice Action Task Force released its draft recommendations on how to define disproportionately-impacted communities, which may include demographics, exposure to environmental racism or socioeconomic stressors.
|
|
Legislation Update: Microgrids Supported by Assembly, Governor
In addition to the energy efficiency, housing, and transportation wins reported last month (all of which passed except HB22-1218), two microgrid bills passed this session. The Colorado Energy Office will create and fund a microgrid roadmap to examine the grid resilience and other benefits of microgrids and recommend action to facilitate projects (HB22-1249). Additionally, the $3.5 million Community Resilience Grant Program will fund microgrids in rural, outage-prone communities (HB22-1013).
|
|
Xcel to Pay Coal Ash Storage Fine
As a result of an Environmental Protection Agency inquiry into coal ash storage (a coal byproduct that frequently pollutes air and waterways), Xcel agreed to pay a $925,000 fine and increase its monitoring and data gathering at the plant in Pueblo.
|
|
Climate Advocates Respond to Texas Gas Facility Explosion
In response to the Freeport, Texas liquified natural gas (LNG) facility explosion, 137 organizations call on the Biden administration to halt LNG expansions, delay gas exports, and work with local authorities to address the environmental/health impacts of the explosion. Of note, the Freeport facility accounts for roughly 20% of all U.S. LNG processing capacity, and its closure for the rest of the year is related to high gas prices.
|
|
Colorado Air Pollution Panel Fails to Fix Whistleblower Complaints, Environmentalists Say
The advisory panel had two industry votes to one environmental advocate vote, and rejected a recommendation to require modeling of expected pollution instead of more monitoring of pollution after the fact, the environmental groups said. See more HERE.
|
|
Colorado Has 200,000 Tons of Orphan Greenhouse Gases That No One Claims
Just because none are stepping up as the owner doesn’t mean coal-fired power plants aren’t polluting. The climate change-causing gases need to be cut no matter what name is attached. Read more HERE.
|
|
PUC Update
-
Commissioners expressed concerns about the costs and methods of financing coal closures and clean-ups, namely Pueblo Unit 3's $732 million retirement price tag (Pueblo Unit 3's initial cost was $1.3 billion ~15 years ago).
-
The Colorado PUC released its decision approving Xcel’s proposed $1.7 billion transmission loop around the Eastern plains of Colorado, set to interconnect up to 5.5 Gigawatts of renewable energy to Colorado's grid.
-
Xcel requested that the Commission open a proceeding to review potential improvements to its bill design, potentially leading to more transparent, interactive bill tools.
-
Debate over Xcel’s Clean Energy Plan continues at the PUC, with increased scrutiny for coal cost recovery.
Read more about May PUC activities HERE.
|
|
What We Are Reading
Maps Illustrate Tribal Lands, Environmental Justice Trends
Have you ever wondered about the Native American history of the place you called home? Canadian nonprofit Native Land Digital, an indigenous-led Canadian nonprofit, created a global map that reveals tribal roots based on your zip code or address. Boulder, CO, for example, was home to the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Cheyenne, and Arapaho.
New Lessons for a Better Grid
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a study that proved an 80% renewable grid is possible, NREL shares new lessons, research, and support for a better grid.
The Role of Innovation in the Electric Utility Sector
A new report on “The Role of Innovation in the Electric Utility Sector” from the U.S. DOE encourages utilities to embrace socially beneficial innovation in pricing, market design, services, and more.
Legal Petition Seeks Federal Trade Commission Investigation of Energy Utility Abuses
More than 230 consumer, environmental and public interest groups urged the Federal Trade Commission today to investigate the electric utility industry for widespread abuses. These include bribery, fake dark-money campaigns and denying customers access to renewable energy. Read the press release HERE.
|
|
We sincerely appreciate your readership!
- The Clean Energy Action Team
|
|
Connect with CEA on social media |
|
|
|
|
|
|
