PUC puts last nail into coffin of Denver-area coal-fired power plants

By 2017 there will be no more coal-fired power plants in or near Denver.

The Public Utilities Commission entered an order Wednesday that requires Xcel Energy to close five coal-powered plants, open a natural gas-fired plant in Denver, and convert two other coal-based facilities to natural gas.

The agency also approved a request from Black Hills Energy to close two coal-based power plants near Canon City.

The order is based on the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, the landmark legislation enacted last year that aims to dramatically lower the state's nitrogen oxide emissions to the atmosphere.

Excel's actions will raise electric bills by an average of 2.5 percent by 2020.

Black Hills Energy customers could see an increase of five percent in their electricity rates.

The Washington Post has a story on the PUC's action.

PUC Overhaul and Reauthorization Heads to Senate

The House cleared a bill that reauthorizes the Public Utilities Commission and makes some important changes in its mission Thursday, but not without a long debate the day before.

HB 1227 has gained attention because it includes provisions aimed at increasing the likelihood that additional taxicab companies will enter the market in the state's cities. However, the bill also broadens the function of the state's Office of Consumer Counsel. It requires the OCC to consider social and environmental factors, as well as the economic interests of consumers and business interests, when formulating and presenting a position on proposed rate increases or decreases to the PUC.

That provision drew controversy, with Republicans arguing that it would inevitably lead to higher utility bills. But Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, pointed out that a failure by the PUC to consider the social and environmental impacts inherent in public utilities' choice of fuels for power generation could actually result in increased costs to consumers.

The bill also authorizes the PUC to impose administrative fines against public utilities, an authority the agency currently has with respect to motor carriers, and subjects investor-owned water and sewer companies to PUC regulation.

The measure is sponsored by majority leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, and Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo.

It cleared the House on a near-party line 41-24 vote, with only Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, voting with the Democrats in support of the measure.

House Kills Proposal to Elect PUC Members

The House defeated a proposal to require members of the Public Utilities Commission to be elected Wednesday, rejecting an amendment by Rep. Paul Weissman, D-Louisville, that would have expanded that body's membership from three members to seven and placing those positions on the ballot for the fall 2008 election.

McElhany Criticizes PUC Reauthorization as "Trojan Horse" for "Extreme Green Agenda"

The Senate minority leader attacked Tuesday a bill to reauthorize the state's Public Utilities Commission, labeling it a "trojan horse" for the Democratic majority's "extreme green agenda."

HB 1227 would authorize the PUC to consider "social, economic and environmental" factors in determining rates that can be charged by utilities subject to its regulatory authority. Those factors would be in addition to the mandates to consider the impact on consumer prices and access to utility services imposed by current law.

The bill, sponsored by House majority leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, would also allow the PUC to impose fines on public utilities and give the agency control over litigation filed by the Attorney General on its behalf.

The controversy surrounding the alleged change to the agency's mission arises from sections 6 and 7 of the bill. Those provisions authorize the Department of Public Health and Environment to notify the PUC of its concerns about matters before the rate-setting body and require the Office of Consumer Counsel, which advocates for ratepayers before the PUC, to consider "social, economic and environmental" impacts of utility rate proposals when developing arguments to be presented. Another section requires the PUC to consider information provided by DPHE, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Local Government and the Governor's Energy Office in rate cases.

The omnibus bill includes several other contentious issues, including the regulation of taxis and a provision allowing ex parte communication between the Office of Consumer Counsel and the PUC on rulemaking matters.

Baker Confirmed to PUC

The Senate confirmed Gov. Bill Ritter's nomination of Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Thursday, overcoming virtually unanimous GOP opposition to the Environment Colorado executive director.

The vote was 21-13, with Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, joining the Democrats in voting "yes" on the nomination.

Under Baker's leadership Environment Colorado prepared and issued a report on ways in which Colorado could combat global climate change. The report urged the state to refrain from licensing new coal-fired power plants.

Baker PUC Nomination Hits Senate Floor Tomorrow

Environmentalist Matt Baker's nomination to serve as a member of the Public Utilities Commission will be considered by the Senate Thursday.

Baker's nomination was endorsed by a Senate committee earlier in the week, despite Republican charges that he is opposed to the use of coal to meet the state's electricity needs.

Republican Senate leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs has also charged that Baker lacks the technical expertise to be an effective member of the PUC. Baker has a history degree.

Given the margin of the Democratic majority in the Senate, and a vote for Baker in committee by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, it is likely that Baker will be confirmed.

Taylor Grills Baker, But Ritter PUC Pick Approved by Committee

Environment Colorado executive director Matt Baker, nominated by Gov. Bill Ritter for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission, faced skeptical questioning from Republicans on the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee Monday.

Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, accused Baker of being "anti-coal."

Environment Colorado has urged the state to halt the construction of new coal-fired power plants and to shut down oldest such facilities in Colorado.

Baker said he is pragmatic about coal and does not think it is practical to expect that state authorities could force the closure of the Hayden and Craig coal-fired plants in the "foreseeable future."

Taylor and Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, were the only opponents of Baker's confirmation on the seven-member committee. Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, voted with the Democrats to recommend approval of the nomination by the full Senate.

Baker was director of the campaign in support of Amendment 37, which imposed renewable energy standards on the state's public utilities and rural electric cooperatives that did not obtain a membership vote exempting them.