News on Climate Action, page 10

CEO values different kind of green, Denver Post, December 3, 2006, and Utility supports clean energy, Boulder Daily Camera, November 11, 2006. XCel CEO Dick Kelly is positioning Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy to be a national leader in renewable energy and reduction of carbon emissions. 

Western states team up to fight global warming, San Francisco Chronicle, December 2, 2006. The public utility commissions in New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Washington are collaborating on clean energy strategies. 

Using Earth's heat, Tucson Citizen, November 1, 2006. The Arizona Corporation Commission adopts renewable energy standard rules that boost the amount of energy power companies must get from renewable sources from 1.1 percent by next year to 15 percent by 2025, including new rules for geothermal sources.

PSC boosts alternative power, Billings Gazette, November 1, 2006. Montana’s Public Service Commission is adopting rules that encourage the development of small scale renewable energy sources at competitive market rates.

Richardson set to unveil energy package, The Free New Mexican, October 31, 2006. As the New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group finishes its work and readies its recommendations, Governor Richardson develops clean energy proposals for consideration by the New Mexico legislature.

Electrical worries looming, Denver Post, October 21, 2006. As power companies around the West and the nation struggle to keep up with demand, clean energy and energy efficiency advocates argue for a balanced approach.

Xcel backs cuts in carbon, Denver Post, October 25, 2006. Xcel is backing draft legislation in Congress that would require electric utilities to acquire 20 percent of their power from nonpolluting sources by 2025.  Xcel CEO Dick Kelly says, "My personal philosophy is we're done discussing it. We need to move to action."

Environmentalists praise Xcel's progress on renewable energy, Associated Press, October 10, 2006. Groups praise Xcel Energy for meeting Colorado’s renewable energy standards eight years ahead of the deadline.

In emissions battle, US cities vie to be 'greenest', Christian Science Monitor, October 25, 2006. Cities nationwide not only continue to expand their climate action strategies, but also compete to draw acclaim for their programs.

Despite federal resistance, cities embrace Kyoto Protocol against emissions, Associated Press, October 20, 2006. Fort Collins’ innovative Climate Wise program is featured in additional coverage of cities’ actions.

Arizona climate action plan: An advisory panel appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano completed its Climate Action Plan, including a statewide goal of reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to their 2000 emissions level by the year 2020 and to 50% below the 2000 level by 2040 and measures to meet that goal. If implemented, the 49 recommendations would save Arizonans an estimated $5.5 billion by 2020, with additional savings in following years. Governor Napolitano signed an Executive Order to begin implementing the recommendations. Among the recommended actions are adoption of California standards to reduce greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles, changes to electricity pricing, more efficient building codes, increased reliance on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency improvements, alternative vehicle fuels, and better land and forest management practices. 

Wind farms, Xcel ink contract, Denver Post, September 1, 2006 and Study: Wind to blow $251M off energy bills, Denver Business Journal, August 23, 2006. Xcel is actively investing in wind energy by contracting with a Logan County wind farm for enough power for 60,000 residences. A study concludes Xcel customers will save $251 million in 20 years through the use of wind energy rather than gas-fueled power plants.

Customers going solar thanks to Xcel rebate, Rocky Mountain News, August 25, 2006. Since March, when Xcel’s new rebate program began, $1.2 million in rebates for 100 homeowners have already been issued.

Ski resorts champion skies and trees, Denver Post, September 1, 2006. The Aspen Skiing Co. is joining a U.S. Supreme Court petition to force the EPA to regulate vehicle carbon dioxide emissions. Vail Resorts is partnering with the National Forest Foundation to invest up to $600,000 in national forest conservation projects near their Colorado and California resorts.

Town of Vail goes all wind power, too, Vail Daily, August 8, 2006. The Town of Vail follows suit by entering into a long-term commitment to purchase wind energy credits for all of its electric power needs, also.

Aspen Climate Impact Assessment, July 26, 2006. The City of Aspen releases what probably is the most detailed assessment of one community’s vulnerability to climate change, showing that local temperatures could increase 6 degrees by the end of the century if heat-trapping gases are limited or 14 degrees if they are not. With lower emissions, skiing could continue at middle or higher elevation slopes, although with a shorter season. With higher emissions, skiing be eliminated by the end of the century or well before. The news release, executive, summary, and full report are available at the web site of the Aspen Global Change Institute, which prepared the assessment. Highly Recommended!

Mayor's green plan sweeping. Rocky Mountain News, July 14, 2006. Denver mayor John Hickenlooper announces the city's ambitious Greenprint Denver initiative, a comprehensive package of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and tree planting programs. One of its goals is a 10 percent reduction in per capita greenhouse gas emissions from the 1990 emission rate by the year 2012, in conformity with the U.S. Mayors Climate Agreement.