Which Republican will crater for carbon tax?

by amy | 6:53 pm, February 8, 2012

A bill to repeal Colorado’s “phantom carbon tax” was heard today in the Republican-controlled House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee. It’s the second time in as many years that State Representative Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial) has sponsored the pro-ratepayer legislation. Both times it was heard in the House Ag Committee. Last year, we documented how [...]

Obama and China: best friends 4 ever

by amy | 5:46 pm, February 6, 2012

This column appeared originally on Townhall Finance.
Obama is China’s best friend
By Amy Oliver Cooke and Michael Sandoval
When it comes China, President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Speech last month was nothing more than a rhetorical exercise from the political pied piper, who, along with his supporters, believes his own words magically alter reality. He [...]

Abound Solar: still no jobs in Tipton, Indiana

by amy | 3:28 pm, January 29, 2012

How long will Abound Solar string along the good folks of Tipton, Indiana?
In July 2010, President Obama announced a $400 million taxpayer-guaranteed loan to Colorado-based Abound Solar, the majority of which was intended to help the thin-filmed solar panel company expand to Tipton, Indiana. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation also provided $12 million in performance-based [...]

PUC “quasi-legislative”?

by amy | 4:44 pm, January 26, 2012

In testimony before the House Transportation Committee for his bill HB12-1016 (detailed earlier) on January 25, Rep. David Balmer stated that he considered introducing a bill that would strip the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of any legislative authority.
Since the PUC apparently has “quasi-legislative” powers and “quasi-judicial” power, shouldn’t PUC commissioners be elected so that the [...]

Translating Obama’s energy policy

by amy | 7:55 am, January 26, 2012

President Barack Obama will be in Colorado today at Buckley Air Force Base promoting his new “all-of-the-above” energy policy. He’s delivering his remarks to a “closed audience” that includes “local energy stakeholders” (translation: rent seekers). We acquired a “fact sheet” about the President’s new direction for energy on which his speech will be based. Since [...]

Fracking bills: regulations in search of problems

by amy | 3:24 pm, January 25, 2012

Two bills concerning hydraulic fracturing can be summarized best as excessive regulations in search of problems. I consulted with Doug Flanders, director of policy and external affairs for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), who provides a summary of each bill citing statistics from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), the state [...]

Questions about Baker’s ability to serve on the PUC

by amy | 1:22 pm, January 25, 2012

Conventional wisdom in energy policy circles says that Governor John Hickenlooper will re-appoint current Public Utilities Commissioner Matt Baker to another four-year term on the PUC. His State Senate confirmation will be a mere formality, but it shouldn’t be.
Serious questions linger about his lack of honesty regarding energy costs and his ability to be an [...]

Commerce City should consult with Greeley before fracking vote

by amy | 10:22 pm, January 24, 2012

Commerce City is twisting itself in knots over whether or not to allow hydraulic fracturing within its city limits. The City Council delayed the moratorium vote for another month so it could discuss the issue further according to reports from 9 News.
Commerce City officials would be wise to head north and seek counsel from Greeley. [...]

Energy in 2012 GA: Legislators address HB 1365, tiered rates and the PUC

by amy | 8:17 pm, January 22, 2012

Two years after the passage of the fuel-switching bill HB 1365, Governor Bill Ritter’s “crown jewel” of the new energy economy, supporters would like the debate to go away. But like a nagging cough, it just won’t.
Several bills in the 2012 legislative session address issues raised surrounding the collusion to draft HB 1365, the cost [...]

Rate increase request exposes hypocrisy of tiered rates

by amy | 8:16 am, January 12, 2012

Xcel Energy’s recently denied $142 million interim rate increase request exposes the hypocrisy of tiered rates, which were implemented out of fear that high demand would require the building of additional power plants. Yet, more than 37 percent or $52.6 million of Xcel’s request was to cover the cost of excess capacity. In other words, [...]

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