In a recent episode of Independence Institute’s* energy podcast, PowerGab, hosts Jake Fogelman and Amy Cooke argue that ‘green’ energy mandates are driving up Colorado energy prices and threatening grid reliability, while environmental groups and progressive media outlets try to obscure the role renewables play in rising utility costs.
A major topic of the show is a proposal allowing, among other things, Colorado Springs Utilities to delay retirement of the Ray Nixon coal plant if shutting it down on schedule would harm reliability or impose unreasonable costs. As the hosts note, the plant remains essential, supplying about 25% of Colorado Springs’ electricity, while replacement generation has proven far more expensive than expected.
The discussion then shifts to an effort to blame natural gas for rising energy bills. Fogleman and Cooke reject that notion, arguing that the real cost driver is Colorado’s forced march to electrification, the price of which is being passed on to ratepayers.
The two make the case that reliability and affordability should come before emissions targets, and that voters need to press lawmakers for a more practical energy policy.
You can see the entire episode here, or watch it below.
