November 2023

Greetings,

We wanted to let you know this month about two important efforts underway in the state of Colorado to speed the clean energy transition. The state is updating its proposed plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and it's not too late to make your voice heard. And energy regulators at the PUC have a full plate, including considering what mix of resources to allow Xcel Energy to purchase to supply electricity in coming years.

Sunny regards,

Rebecca Cantwell

for New Energy Colorado

Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues and let us know what else you would like to read about by emailing us here

Colorado Still Seeks Ideas for Greenhouse Gas Reduction

The state of Colorado is updating its Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction roadmap and there is still time to make your voice heard.

Through public meetings and written comments, the state has updated proposed near term actions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The draft report includes dozens of ideas to cut emissions across a variety of sectors.

For example, utility proposals include modernizing clean energy permitting and siting, and ensuring fairness in distributed energy resource compensation. For agriculture, one proposal would regulate the production and use of biochar, and another would extend existing tax incentives for beetle-killed wood. Transportation proposals include streamlining local EV charger deployment and expanding the zero-fare transit program. For buildings, proposals include accelerating heat pump deployment and expanding low-income access to distributed solar.

The next step will be modeling the projected impacts of the proposed actions, which will occur prior to the second round of stakeholder input.

The final round of stakeholder meetings are planned for late November and early December and the state will continue accepting written comments until Friday, December 15.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED HERE

Xcel Proposes to Add Lots of Solar, Wind and Storage

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will soon be deciding what mix of resources Xcel Energy will be using in the coming years. The state’s largest utility is proposing large quantities of renewable energy resources in its $15 billion resource plan including:

-Over 3400 MW of new wind generation

-Over 1900 MW of new solar generation

-Over 1100 MW of new energy storage.

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society, which has been involved in the development of the Electric Resource Plan, praised these high levels of renewable energy in comments. One MW can supply electricity to several hundred homes.

But CRES questioned another part of the utility’s proposal. Xcel wants to acquire 628 MW of new gas turbines. CRES argues that the expensive turbines will run for only a small percentage of the year and should not be approved until Xcel has gained experience with large amounts of storage on its system. In addition, storage technologies are evolving quickly and may be a more sensible alternative than polluting gas turbines that could become obsolete before they are paid for.

CRES is also asking the commission to consider speeding up the retirement of the last big coal plant in Pueblo from its 2030 planned shutdown. An earlier retirement will likely save taxpayers money by replacing the coal power with lower cost wind and solar, CRES argues.

Read more about the plan here

Links to more documents about the plan here

FROM CHEAP TO STEEP:

CUTTING ENERGY COSTS THIS WINTER

This is a good time to make improvements to your home to improve comfort and reduce energy bills in the cold months. Also, tax credits that started this year through the Inflation Reduction Act can help you pay for improvements this calendar year (and you can claim again next year for more work!). Rebates from utilities can knock the price down as well. Here are some ideas to get started, from Cheap to Steep.

Learn About Your Energy Usage

CHEAP

-Start by paying attention to your recent bills. Many Xcel Energy customers have transitioned this year to Time-of-Use Rates for electricity and some other utilities have also changed how they charge for electricity See how your usage changes during the different periods of the day and how that affects your bill.

Xcel’s winter weekday electricity rates are $.12/kwh from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m., $.15/kwh from 1 pm to 3 pm and $.19 from 3pm to 7pm. Those who opt out will pay a flat rate of $.13.

- Thus, if you can move most of your electric-intensive uses such as laundry and dishwashing to after 7pm or before 1pm, you may be able to save money.

STEEPER

-Buy a Smart Thermostat to help you understand and control your heat. You can get instant rebates by purchasing from Xcel here Xc el Energy CO Store | Home (poweredbyefi.org) or buy from retailers and fill out a rebate form.

-Invest in an Energy Audit to learn how your home uses energy and where it is leaking. The Inflation Reduction Act offers a credit of up to $150.

Tighten Up Your Home

CHEAP

-Buy caulk and use it to seal up obvious leaks such as around doors and windows or where plumbing or electrical wires come through walls

-Borrow a Draft Check Meter from your local library and use it to learn where your home is leaking heat. More information: Draft Check | Residential Services | Xcel Energy

STEEPER:

Put a better blanket on your home with increased insulation. Add high R-value insulation to the attic for year-round improvement in comfort. And don’t forget to insulate the walls. Qualified contractors can seal air leaks with fire-resistant materials.

You may be able to get a tax credit of up to $1,200 for qualified insulation under the Inflation Reduction Act. Details here: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Xcel is offering rebates covering up to 30% of the cost, or up to $400. Details here: Insulation and Air Sealing | Residential Services | Residential Services | Xcel Energy

Here are some more links to helpful information:

Summary of Building Electrification Utility Rebates (loveelectric.org)

Summary of federal residential energy efficiency tax credits: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

National Database on incentives and rebates: https://www.dsireusa.org/

Upcoming Events

CRES- Denver

Come Modernize Your Lifestyle! with Jonathan Rogers

Thursday, November 16, 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Hybrid

Did you know that Denver is on the leading edge among US cities to modernize its communities for sustainability and resiliency?

This event will take place in-person at The Alliance Center in Denver with a live stream option available for remote viewing.

RSVP Here

NCRES

Achieving Net-Zero Electric homes: Case Studies of Retrofit and New Construction

Tuesday, November 28, 7:00 - 9:00 PM | In Person - NCRES

Join our Northern Colorado chapter and the Fort Collins Citizens' Climate Lobby chapter for an in-person event where we take you through the thought processes for two very different projects: a retrofit of a natural gas-heated mid-80s vintage tract home and a new custom-built home.

This event will take place in-person at Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins.

RSVP Here

JCRES

Easy to be Green: Big Incentives for Clean Energy, Electrification & EVs

Thursday, November 30, 7:00 - 9:00 PM | In Person - JCRES

Legislative analyst Jan Rose joins our Jefferson County chapter to give an overview of all the incentives from Federal Inflation Reduction Act, the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as well as Colorado’s additional tax incentives, including those from utilities.

This event will take place in-person at the Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) in Golden with a live stream option available for remote viewing. Stay for some light refreshments and networking after the Q&A.

Co-Sponsored by JUC's Green Task Force and New Energy Colorado.

RSVP Here

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