Retiring Xcel CEO ‘OK if no more coal’ after investing $1 billion-plus on Comanche 3 plant

“I’d be OK if there were never any more coal,” says retiring Xcel Energy CEO Dick Kelly, who invested more than $1 billion in Pueblo’s coal-fired Comanche 3 power plant. Leslie Glustrom of Boulder-based Clean Energy Action puts the interview “in the vein of ‘I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.’ Burritos are only $3 mistakes and the indigestion lasts for a day. Coal plants are $1 billion mistakes and the ‘indigestion’ lasts for decades.”

Municipalizing energy may be just as difficult as it sounds, expert tells Boulder audience

Opinions are mixed as Boulder considers whether to forge stronger relationship with Xcel or form its own municipal utility provider.

As Cancun talks begin, Coloradans demand U.S. lead on climate change

What would happen if the United Nations hosted a climate change conference and nobody came? Does an iceberg crumbling into the ocean make a sound if there is no one there to hear it?

Well, there are plenty of…

Xcel admonished by state but wins $128 million rate hike

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission late Friday afternoon approved a $128.3 million increase in Xcel Energy electric rates that will go into effect Jan. 1.

The Minnesota-based, investor-owned utility – Colorado’s largest power supplier – had originally sought a $180 million increase, which was whittled down to nearly $136 million in a settlement with two consumer groups.

A contrast in styles: Protesting energy policies in New York, Colorado

If it seems like it was just a few months ago when Xcel Energy was asking for a nearly $160 million rate increase – and drawing polite protests like the one pictured here in downtown Denver – that’s because…

Xcel Energy’s $15,000 board dinners questioned in state rate-hike hearing

With Xcel Energy on pace to disconnect power to some 70,000 Coloradans this year for nonpayment, energy activists are openly questioning why ratepayers should pick up the tab for lavish executive board-member dinners, hotel and spa retreats and luxury box tickets to professional sports games.

Xcel seeks nearly $180 million rate hike to cover coal-fired Comanche 3

Xcel Energy’s rate-case hearing before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission runs through the end of the week, with some wags saying the state’s largest utility intentionally asks for too much ($177.4 million) so the PUC can lop off $30…

IREA Voices touts new study on looming coal shortages

IREA Voices, a citizen activist group formed to combat the climate change policies of the state’s largest rural electric co-op, is pointing its members to a new study conducted by a former biochemist in Colorado who says the nation’s coal…