All Electric Mandate Or ‘All of The Above’ Energy Policy? You Decide

By Russ Minary | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

“The problem with Democrats is not that they are ungenerous. The problem is that they are so generous with other people’s money.”  (Jeff Childers) 

In December, Excel Energy shut down electricity along the CO Front Range due to “high winds.”  It’s difficult to estimate the costs and impacts for individuals, businesses, homeowners, hospitals and grocery stores. Those who had propane, natural gas or diesel-powered generators were able to weather the storm. Everyone else was out of luck.

High winds along the Front Range are normal according to the experts and scientists at NOAA, which is based in Boulder, CO. I lived in Boulder County for 39 years (1976-2015) and do not recall a single planned power shutdown due to high winds during that time. Yes, downed power lines caused occasional temporary outages but Excel quickly performed repairs and restored power. They also performed routine maintenance and repairs. But that was then; this is now. 

This article will provide some crucial background info for every person in CO to consider before implementing any new energy policies or mandates. 

NOTE: I AM NOT a subject matter expert, climatologist, anti-science nor ‘climate denier’ (whatever that means). I AM a pragmatist and an advocate of an ‘All of the Above’ energy policy that allows YOU (rather than government bureaucrats) to decide what types of energy works best for YOU. 

Gov. Polis and his cronies at CO Public Utilities Commission have finalized a state Clean Heat framework requiring Xcel and other utilities supplying natural gas for home and building heating to cut the carbon emissions from their systems by 41% by 2035. CO utilities are expected to reach 100% decarbonization of building heating by 2050. Keep in mind that this is a slippery slope. If the State can regulate power usage during cold seasons, they can also regulate power usage during every other season. No A/C for you!!  

Here’s what that means if you currently have natural gas-powered home appliances (furnace, water heater, stovetop, etc.). You’ll be forced to replace them with appliances that run on ‘renewable’ or ‘sustainable’ power sources – whether you like it or not. 

Two policies of the Polis administration’s climate agenda will make life very difficult and costly for the average, hardworking taxpayer in CO: 1) the near-complete shutdown of the CO fossil fuel industry and 2) the all-electric future that has been mandated by unelected bureaucrats, appointed officials and the Polis administration.

Imagine the following likely scenario if you live in CO (especially rural or mountainous areas) once these 100% zero carbon emissions goals have been fully implemented:

A severe 2-3 day winter storm, with high winds, extreme low temps, icy conditions and heavy snow hits the State. Roads are closed, electric power and natural gas are now unavailable. Many electrical power lines have been broken. Due to high winds and heavy snow, wind generation and solar farms are shut down and non-functional. Your electric lights, furnace, water heater, furnace, refrigerator, freezer, internet, television and cooking surfaces aren’t working. Power plants that were powered by natural gas or coal were decommissioned and closed down. Natural gas, diesel or propane-powered backup generators aren’t working and neither are gas fireplaces in homes. Your home is getting colder with each passing hour. You and your loved ones are in the dark, cold and hungry…until electric power is restored.

Does climate change?  Of course!  It’s abundantly clear from the fossil record that the Earth’s climate has changed repeatedly since the beginning of time. The causes of these changes, however, are debatable. 

Depending upon: the dataset used; the experts/sources; the timespan measured, or the reference points on the Earth – it is either too cold or hot, too windy or calm; too icy or thawing; or too wet or too dry. Farmers used to say, “Whether it’s cold or whether it’s hot, the weather’s the weather like it or not.”  Farmers have worked in weather of all types and extremes since the beginning of time. For example, Oswego County, NY just experienced 5 feet of snowfall in only 4-5 days, but that;s nothing new. Some global warming would be nice… 

Accurate empirical records only go back a few hundred years. There appears to be little or no correlation between concentrations of human population/activities and global temperature patterns. You’ll find more science-based info to support my statements by clicking on the links in this article. For starters, read up on the Little Ice Age which occurred between 1300 and 1700AD.

It is quite clear, however, that 3 natural forces dramatically impact the Earth’s climate: 1) the Sun/Solar activity, 2) the Oceans and 3) Volcanic activity. Human beings have zero% impact on any of them.

And let’s not forget CO2 (carbon dioxide) or ‘greenhouse gas.’  CO2 is a naturally occurring substance that is essential to photosynthesis, the process by which green plants convert CO2 to Oxygen. It’s called ‘greenhouse gas’ because it is pumped into greenhouses to increase plant growth. Yes, it can be deadly. The ‘normal’ level of CO2 in the atmosphere is ~350-480 parts/million (ppm), but crews on US submarines survive long-term with no ill effects in CO2 levels of over 10,000 ppm. An Earth without sufficient levels of CO2 would result in zero plant, animal and human life. 

I am an advocate of an ‘all of the above’ energy policy for Colorado and the US. All people should be able to choose and use the types of energy (gas, oil, diesel, natural gas, propane, coal, electric, wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear or any others that are efficient and appropriate to their needs, lifestyle, locale or budget.

What works for one person does not work for every person. The clean, green, all-electric future may be fine for you, but it is impractical for many others as I’ve described above. The actual costs of the planned conversion to ‘sustainable’ sources have not been fully considered or estimated. Whatever the costs, which will be astronomical, YOU will pay all of them, either directly or indirectly. 

This should not come as a shock or surprise for anyone who has been paying attention. In early 2008, candidate Obama told the San Francisco Chronicle that “under my plan … electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”  His plan is working pretty well, and is making him and others rich…

Here are a few other things for every person to consider before we eliminate the exploration, extraction, refinement, transport and use of oil, natural gas, fossil fuels and petroleum. This resource from the US Dept. of Energy identifies over 6000 products used every day by most Americans like you that are derived from petroleum and fossil energy. You use at least a few of them. 

Remember that nearly all heavy trucks, trains, planes, fire/emergency/law enforcement vehicles, heavy equipment, and farm equipment run primarily on fossil fuel – not electricity. ALL of those vehicles will need to be replaced, and YOU will pay for that, directly or indirectly.

Finally, here’s my message to Mr. Polis, environmentalists, utility executives, clean energy advocates and other proponents of these mandates: YOU FIRST. Show us how it’s done. Eliminate all fossil energy and products from your life, both at home and in your office. Live with that for the next 5-10 years, and pay for it with your own money. Don’t ask any CO resident or taxpayer to pay for it, until you have paid for it yourself. Then get back to us. Until then, let’s just stay with ‘all of the above’ and let the people decide what’s best for them.

Russ Minary is a retired sales executive, marketing consultant, small business owner and veteran. He has lived in CO for 50 years and resides in Douglas County. 

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.