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Report Warns Renewable Mandates Could Cost New England Ratepayers Hundreds of Billions
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Boston Herald, Approved, National

Report Warns Renewable Mandates Could Cost New England Ratepayers Hundreds of Billions

By Tim Dunn | Boston Herald The study found Bay State ratepayers would bear the highest costs in New England for renewable energy plans. A new study has found that New England ratepayers would save an estimated $400-$700 billion by replacing planned offshore wind and solar projects in the region with natural gas and nuclear power. The study, Alternatives to New England’s Energy Affordability Crisis, estimated the economic effects of meeting the region’s energy needs through 2050 with nuclear and natural gas plants, modeling the cost of energy portfolios in the six New England states to reflect the result of decarbonization plans in the Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE). “New Englanders are being asked to bankroll an energy experiment tha...
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Xcel Files $546 Million in Rate Hikes Amid Massive Colorado Spending on Clean Energy Transition
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The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Xcel Files $546 Million in Rate Hikes Amid Massive Colorado Spending on Clean Energy Transition

By Scott Weiser | The Denver Gazette Colorado’s largest utility filed for major increases in both electric and natural gas rates within weeks of each other, a move that could add roughly $17 a month to the average household bill serving both services. Xcel Energy submitted a natural gas rate case to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 29, 2025, seeking $190 million in additional annual revenue — an 11.4% jump that would raise average residential gas bills by $7.59 a month. That follows a November filing for a $356 million electric rate boost, adding about $9.94 monthly bill for residential electric customers. If regulators approve both as requested, the combined hit for dual-service households would be around $17.53 a month, with increases likely ta...
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All Electric Mandate Or ‘All of The Above’ Energy Policy? You Decide
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

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 sh...
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Xcel Seeks Gas Rate Hike as Colorado Customers Face Rising Utility Costs
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The Colorado Sun, Approved, State

Xcel Seeks Gas Rate Hike as Colorado Customers Face Rising Utility Costs

By Mark Jaffe | The Colorado Sun Colorado consumer advocate says second rate-increase request in a quarter is testing the will of customers and the Public Utilities Commission. Xcel Energy is aiming to raise its gas customers’ bills by an average $7.59 a month — for a total of $190 million — to pay for safety improvements, rising operating and maintenance costs and investor returns. The company filed the proposed rate hike with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Monday. The rate request comes a little more than a month after Xcel Energy filed for a $356 million electric rate increase, which would raise the average residential electric bill 10% to $110 a month. In late November, the PUC also approved a $155 million plan to deal wi...
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Lawmakers demand Polis reverse electrification push after shutoffs
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Lawmakers demand Polis reverse electrification push after shutoffs

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado lawmakers are pressing Gov. Jared Polis to reverse course on electrification after recent power shutoffs raised fresh concerns about grid reliability and public safety. “We write to express grave concerns over your administration’s aggressive push for statewide unfunded electrification mandates,” the lawmakers wrote in a Dec. 23 letter. “This agenda, driven by crony politics and excused by nonscience climate alarmism, favors select industries at the expense of Colorado families and businesses.” They warn the state’s energy agenda “is economically harmful and endangers lives by further straining an already fragile electric grid.” The letter was signed by Reps. Ken DeGraaf (HD-22), Brandi Bradley (HD-39), Scott Botto...
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PUC clean heat rule sparks call for public action over rising utility costs
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Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

PUC clean heat rule sparks call for public action over rising utility costs

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Email the PUC about their natural gas rule this December. I wanted to share with you another way you can speak up to the PUC re. their Clean Heat Rulemaking. In addition to speaking up at their January 14th meeting, you can also send in an email prior to their finalizing their Clean Heat Plan December 22nd.I received the below from a reader recently. Quoted here with links intact:“Per the Commission’s usual process, any individual, stakeholder or organization may request that the Commission reconsider its decision on these rules. Such requests are due by Dec. 22. The Commission will consider these requests and publicly deliberate at a January weekly meeting. Any one wishing to make public comment or request ...
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Trump Team Backs Coal With $625M Plan to Secure Cheap Reliable Power
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Fox Business, Approved, National

Trump Team Backs Coal With $625M Plan to Secure Cheap Reliable Power

By Stephen Sorace | Fox Business Programs aim to modernize plants, bring cheaper power to rural communities and extend coal plant lifespans. The Trump administration announced on Monday a $625 million investment to boost America’s coal industry, a plan that aims to keep coal plants open, lower energy costs and enable the U.S. to win the global race for dominance in artificial intelligence. U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright made the announcement of expanded programs to help the coal industry on FOX Business’ "Mornings with Maria," saying that the U.S. has "awesome coal reserves" that can be put to productive use. "We’re going to export more of that coal, we’re going to use it for American industry, particularly as we reindustrialize, and it’s going to continue to provide ...
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Billions flow to green groups after EPA’s 2009 carbon ruling
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Just The News, Approved, National

Billions flow to green groups after EPA’s 2009 carbon ruling

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square via Just the News Fed grants to organizations increased from $350 million in 2009 to nearly $1.4 billion in 2023, analysis finds. Changes to the Environmental Protection Agency's strict regulations on the automobile industry could cost nonprofit groups that reported a 267% funding bump in the years since the federal agency's 2009 Endangerment Finding, a rule that provided a legal basis for the agency to regulate vehicle emissions and the energy industry through the Clean Air Act. Democracy Restored, a nonprofit dedicated to showing how government works, reviewed the tax returns of more than 75 of the top nonprofit organizations focused on climate change. Funding for those 75 groups has increased significantly since 2009 with their bottom lines ...
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Why educational choice matters more than ever in Colorado
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Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

Why educational choice matters more than ever in Colorado

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Educational Choice Makes Education Better I saw the op ed below in Complete recently and wanted to share. It details a movement in education that I was not aware of: microschools.A couple of non-contiguous quotes help explain."Microschools are small learning communities typically serving less than 50 students, but which may have as many as 150. These schools are usually privately funded and launched by parents or educators to offer unique programs that address a specific need or demand in their communities. Low student-to-teacher ratios prioritize giving individual attention to each student."and "Driven by a desire for change, most microschools do not adhere to the standard educational model. It is most common for mi...
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Critics Warn of Blackouts and Rising Costs as Polis Accelerates Green Agenda
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State, Approved, completecolorado.com

Critics Warn of Blackouts and Rising Costs as Polis Accelerates Green Agenda

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — Information obtained by Complete Colorado shows that Gov. Jared Polis continues to double down on a 100 percent renewable energy plan for the state by 2040, despite late last year admitting his current plan is already on a dangerous course for energy ratepayers. In a letter obtained by Complete Colorado in October 2024, Governor Polis admitted he’s concerned Colorado is on track for the same large rate increases that are happening wherever “beneficial electrification” is tried, if the transition is not “carefully managed.” Yet, on July 16, the governor’s Clean Energy Office (CEO) held a Zoom meeting with as many 100 “stakeholders” to discuss further legislation in the coming year to push Colorado towards full decarbonization of the stat...
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