Allen Best

Allen Best

Allen Best writes about energy, water and other topics from a base in metropolitan Denver. He began writing about energy, the climate, and their relationship in 2005.

ENN

Xcel-backed Colorado bill prompts debate over vision for utilities’ future

Critics say the bill “enshrines monopoly” at a time when regulators should be considering a different model.

By Allen Best . 23 April 2019
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Colorado considers adding social cost of carbon to resource planning decisions

Gov. Jared Polis’ proposal could make new fossil fuel plants less attractive while speeding up the closure of existing ones.

By Allen Best . 29 March 2019
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Xcel Energy has an aggressive clean energy goal. How will it get there?

The utility says its interim goal of 80 percent carbon reduction by 2030 can be met with existing technology.

By Allen Best . 6 March 2019
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As members seek cleaner power, Colorado energy provider wants to make a deal

As a Colorado energy provider deals with an insurgence of member co-ops seeking cleaner power and better rates, a deal being discussed this week may allow it to hang on to its biggest customers, as well as solicit new ones.

By Allen Best . 4 March 2019
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What’s at stake in high-profile exit charge case before Colorado utility regulators

The fee is at the center of a dispute between Delta-Montrose and Tri-State, the electric cooperative’s wholesale provider.

By Allen Best . 12 February 2019
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Colorado’s biggest battery a 'gamble' co-op decided it needed to make

United Power’s project has stoked tensions with its power wholesaler, which capped members’ storage capacity.

By Allen Best . 8 January 2019
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Unhappy Colorado co-ops increase pressure on coal power wholesaler

While one co-op tries to end its relationship with Tri-State, another seeks to incite insurrection from within.

By Allen Best . 11 December 2018
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Xcel Energy has an ambitious climate plan. Will carbon capture be part of the solution?

As Xcel Energy executives announced their vision of delivering zero-carbon electricity by 2050 in Denver on Tuesday, they may have also revived a long debate over the viability of carbon capture technology.

By Allen Best . 4 December 2018
ENN

How refinancing could help retire Colorado coal plants sooner

A Colorado state legislator says he will introduce a bill in January that would give utilities a tool to accelerate retirement of power plants increasingly unable to compete with cheaper technology.

By Allen Best . 2 October 2018
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In Colorado, two rural co-ops are leading the charge on electric vehicles

As Colorado seeks to encourage adoption of electric vehicles, two rural cooperatives are charging ahead where other utilities have so far hung back.

By Allen Best . 19 September 2018

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Allen Best

Xcel-backed Colorado bill prompts debate over vision for utilities’ future

Colorado considers adding social cost of carbon to resource planning decisions

Xcel Energy has an aggressive clean energy goal. How will it get there?

As members seek cleaner power, Colorado energy provider wants to make a deal

What’s at stake in high-profile exit charge case before Colorado utility regulators

Colorado’s biggest battery a 'gamble' co-op decided it needed to make

Unhappy Colorado co-ops increase pressure on coal power wholesaler

Xcel Energy has an ambitious climate plan. Will carbon capture be part of the solution?

How refinancing could help retire Colorado coal plants sooner

In Colorado, two rural co-ops are leading the charge on electric vehicles