PowerGab

Is Colorado running out of water? Is it a natural issue or is there bad policy to blame? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with national conservation policy leader Greg Walcher.Show Notes:https://gregwalcher.comhttps://i2i.org/where-life-is-written-in-water/https://completecolorado.com/2025/08/04/everybody-knows-fix-for-colorado-river/https://completecolorado.com/2025/07/17/tax-funded-colorado-river-studies-ignore-federal-mismanagement/

Expiring renewables subsidies have put the Colorado PUC into a frenzy to try and qualify and spend for new infrastructure. But will this hastiness work out, or are there additional considerations that will affect rate payers? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/18/colorado-xcel-data-center-demand-spending/https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/28/xcel-enery-solar-wind-projects-tax-credits-colorado/

Colorado regulators' push to electrification has a cost, and it exceeds the 2.5% raise in rates... by a HUGE amount. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss what this will entail, how much it will likely end up costing, and if there's anything you can do to stop it.Show Notes:Colorado’s costly home heating planXcel Energy Clean Heat Plan https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hearing-Exhibit-101-Attachment-JWI-1.pdfBlack Hills Clean Heat Plan https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Black-Hills-Clean-Heat-Plan-2024-2028-.pdfAtmos Clean Heat Plan https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Atmos-Clean-Heat-Plan-2024-2028.pdfNotice Proposed Rule making includes instructions on when and where to submit comments (See highlighted section on the last two pages) https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/C25-0517_25R-0309G_Open-NOPR.pdf

Does the EPA have the authority over one of Colorado's most reliable coal power plants, and whether or not it stays open? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:OBBBhttps://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/regulation/the-big-beautiful-bill-is-a-big-win-for-american-energy/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-market-distorting-subsidies-for-unreliable-foreign%E2%80%91controlled-energy-sources/https://www.cpr.org/2025/07/03/congress-passes-trump-big-beautiful-bill/EPA and CSU’s Ray Nixon coal-fired power planthttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/16/2025-13342/air-plan-partial-approval-and-partial-disapproval-colorado-regional-haze-plan-for-the-secondhttps://www.cpr.org/2025/07/16/epa-moves-to-reject-colorado-plan-to-close-coal-power-plants/

Xcel Energy's upcoming energy project has transmission lines that cut across Elbert County in Colorado. However, some local residents have not agreed to let them, causing a threat of eminent domain and a court battle. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke talk with Elbert County Environmental Alliance member Kerry Jiblits. Show Notes:https://www.ecealliance.orghttps://www.denver7.com/follow-up/elbert-county-commissioners-deny-permits-for-xcel-energys-power-pole-projecthttps://www.elbertcounty-co.gov/615/Xcel-Energy---Colorados-Power-Pathway-Pr

Colorado has a long history with nuclear energy... some of it good and some of it not so good. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Veteran Nathan Stout about that history and how it impacts energy policy today.Show Notes:https://i2i.org/a-critical-look-at-nuclear-energy-in-colorado-overcoming-our-past-to-secure-our-future/

A declining Colorado economy is beginning to have consequences against many of its own climate goals. What's behind this and what tax credits are going away? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/19/colorado-green-tax-credits-cut-economic-forecast/https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/25/colorado-clean-energy-project-cancellations/

Are green energy sources as economically friendly as they are being portrayed? Or are there other factors that make them not quite as green-friendly as marketed? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with Sarah Montalbano from the Center of the American Experiment.Show Notes:https://files.americanexperiment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Shattered-Green-Dreams.pdf?v=1750106281&_gl=1*1vf43vr*_gcl_au*OTY3ODE4MDQ2LjE3NTA4NzExMjI.

Colorado's clean energy goals are turning out to have a high price tag. Is there a point and when will the Public Utilities Commission fight for ratepayers' rights? PowerGab Hosts Jake Foglem and Amy Cooke discuss this topic and more with David Thielen of Liberal and Loving It.Show Notes:https://liberalandlovingit.substack.comhttps://coloradopuc24a0442e.substack.com/cp/165908249https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/my-comments-on-the-xcel-jts-proceedinghttps://coloradopuc24a0442e.substack.com/cp/163935906

Regular listeners to PowerGab are encouraged to get a power generator. One listener not only took the advice, but they decided to make their own. Cory Gaines from the Colorado Accountability Project tells PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke just how he did it.Show Notes:https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com

Some Colorado News Publications have a particular framing on energy stories in the state. Is there a bias and what way does it lean? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with Cory Gaines from the Colorado Accountability Project.Show Notes:https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.comhttps://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com/p/the-colorado-suns-disingenuous-reportinghttps://www.cpr.org/2025/06/04/republican-budget-bill-utilities-energy-costs-impact/

Rogue surveillance devices have been discovered on Chinese made solar panels and batteries in the United States. Who is in control of your power? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this along with Xcel's new time of use rate proposal and tax dollars being funneled to partisan groups.Show Notes:https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/20/xcel-peak-use-electricity-rates-spike/https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rogue-communication-devices-found-on-chinese-made-solar-power-inverters/748242/https://completecolorado.com/2025/04/30/environmental-ideologues-enjoying-the-colorado-taxpayer-dime/

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill has just passed Congress and is on its way to the Senate. This will gut renewable energy subsidies, but will that end up saving Coloradans on their energy bills? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://www.utilitydive.com/news/house-gop-budget-worse-than-feared-for-clean-energy-analysts/748862/https://www.utilitydive.com/news/a-fraction-of-proposed-data-centers-will-get-built-utilities-are-wising-up/748214/https://www.youtube.com/live/bPYJNOtLxJ8?si=qNiy6kywZAuMm4RP

The Colorado Supreme Court has just allowed Boulder's lawsuit against big oil to move forward. Does the lawsuit have any merit, does it stand a chance, and what does it mean for Colorado? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2025/05/15/erie-sets-course-for-zero-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2030/https://www.chaffeecountytimes.com/news/trustees-debate-electric-preferred-building-code-amendment/article_0b28e7bf-dc9c-41ce-b57a-28bfb38a9f10.htmlhttps://www.cpr.org/2025/05/12/colorado-supreme-court-allows-boulder-climate-lawsuit-suncor-exxon/https://completecolorado.com/2025/02/09/colorado-high-court-climate-lawfare-case/

A Colorado Energy policymaker's Op Ed in a local newspaper touts a market driven approach for energy in the state. But is that even close to true? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke reveal another look at Colorado's Energy Policy as well discuss some legislation updates.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/24/jared-polis-plan-speed-up-colorado-emissions-reductions/https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/18/opinion-colorado-engery-costs-leading-way/

Can renewable energy resources experience full grid blackouts? Spain relies heavily on renewable energy and just experienced a countrywide black out. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke interview Kenny Stein of the Institute of Energy Research and Mitch Rolling of Always On Energy Research to find out what happened and if there is a way to prevent it.Show Notes:https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kenny-Stein-Bio-24.pdfhttps://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/the-grid/what-caused-spain-and-portugals-massive-power-outage/https://jkempenergy.com/2025/04/28/iberian-peninsula-hit-by-mass-blackout-and-attempts-black-start/

New executive orders challenge Colorado's renewable goals. How will these orders affect the state, does Colorado need to comply, and are the renewable goals that Colorado has even capable of handling the power needs? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/14/colorado-oil-and-gas-lawsuit-trump-order/https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/15/coal-fired-power-craig-tri-state-xcel-trump-orders/https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-04/regulatory-relief-for-certain-stationary-annex-1.pdf

A new legislative bill in Colorado aims to incentivize data centers with money from the taxpayers. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this bill, its progress, and what it would mean for Coloradans. Show Notes:https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_280_01.pdf

Colorado Media slanders providers that don't align with their viewpoints, and PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke call them out. They talk about their "pet peeves" in the power industry along with legislative measures that are suffocating Colorado's economy. Show Notes:A pet peeve: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/therightaoc_home-liberty-energy-activity-7314317686220431363-gnSC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGSjcgBPL5m2zttfZr18-SF8P9Di3bhWi8I can’t do business in Denverhttps://denvergazette.com/news/denver-developers-commercial-real-estate-regulations/article_ea6d4d62-5400-455b-84cd-014241056fb8.html#google_vignette Executive Orders:https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/reinvigorating-americas-beautiful-clean-coal-industry-and-amending-executive-order-14241/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/protecting-american-energy-from-state-overreach/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/strengthening-the-reliability-and-security-of-the-united-states-electric-grid/The legislative “fix” to Building Regshttps://tsscolorado.com/bill-to-aid-building-owners-needing-to-decarbonize-doesnt-help-enough-sector-leaders-say/

A new energy legislation bill in Colorado threatens to move up the current mandates for renewables in the state. What's in the bill, will it actually pass, and is it even realistic? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/the-puc-feels-very-pro-forma-to-mehttps://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/03/CEP-Draft-3-25-25-STAKEHOLDERS84.pdfhttps://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/03/Letter-re-2040-Late-Bill-Status-3.28.25-Final.pdf

Two of the largest utility companies in Colorado are publicly sounding the alarm of cost and reliability risks with renewables. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke interview Travas Deal, the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities to find out more.Show Notes:https://i2i.org/colorado-utilities-signal-pain-ahead-for-energy-transition/https://www.csu.org/blog/ourenergytransitionhttps://gazette.com/news/colorado-springs-utilities-slowing-green-energy-project-goals/article_317f44ec-eee8-11ef-b113-238f450e3acf.htmlhttps://coloradosun.com/2024/01/04/platte-river-power-authority-greenhouse-gas-reductions/

There are no shortages of goals for the future of energy. But what is realistic? Are the projections of renewable energy even attainable? PowerGab Host Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this topic and updates from the Colorado Legislature.Show Notes:-https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/17/lawmakers-approve-bill-to-classify-nuclear-power-clean-energy/-https://coloradosun.com/2025/03/13/platte-river-power-authority-natural-gas-climate-change/-https://www.aei.org/articles/welcome-to-the-era-of-energy-realism/

It's halfway through the 2025 legislative session in Colorado. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have been keeping tabs on the good, the bad, and the ugly energy legislation and they discuss the bills and their likeliness of becoming laws.Show Notes:-HB25-1040: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040-HB25-1126: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1126-HB25-1177: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1177-HB25-1277: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1277-HB25-1234: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1234-HB25-1260: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1260

A new Independence Institute analysis shows that coal is no longer the king of Colorado's energy. What is the current breakdown of Colorado's energy sources and what is that costing? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://i2i.org/fast-facts-about-colorados-electricity-sector-in-2024/https://i2i.org/fast-facts-about-electricity-in-colorado-in-2023/

The new Trump administration takes aim at downsizing government agencies like the EPA. How will this have an affect on Colorado's energy policy? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with President Trump's former EPA transition team leader Myron Ebell.Show Notes:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/climate/trump-epa-layoffs.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/26/epa-endangerment-finding-trump-climate/https://rogerpielkejr.substack.com/p/is-the-epa-endangerment-finding-endangered

Colorado gets one step closer to nuclear energy with a bill passing the committee house. However, some of the objections to the bill make it clear that there is a clear need for education about nuclear energy. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://i2i.org/is-2025-the-year-that-colorado-goes-nuclear-hopefully/https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040

Colorado's Public Utilities Commission is meant to be a bipartisan entity representing all Coloradans. But is it? A new legislative bill is proposed to help give more equal representation. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1126https://www.dsireinsight.com/blog/2024/11/21/utility-commissioners-how-theyre-selected-what-they-do-and-how-they-impact-daily-lifehttps://i2i.org/wp-content/uploads/CoRP_Case_Study_v2_a.pdf

As Colorado considers nuclear energy as an option, what happens with the nuclear waste? Where would it go and how much would there be? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:Nuclear storage plans in Northwestern Coloradohttps://coloradosun.com/2025/01/18/nuclear-waste-storage-colorado-rio-blanco-county-rangely/https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/29/nuclear-waste-storage-hayden-routt-county/ Chris Wright Lays Out DOE Prioritieshttps://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-energy-baseload-generation-nuclear-transmission-wright/739412/

Are the energy problems facing Colorado a partisan issue? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with Dave Thielen from Liberal and Loving It to see if there is a political consensus on the problems facing Colorado's energy grid and what some possible solutions are.Show Notes:https://liberalandlovingit.substack.comhttps://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/will-toor-executive-director-coloradohttps://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/is-wind-energy-cheaper-than-gas

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission Chair has just given a very grim forecast for where costs are going for utility bills. And, how do the new Trump Administration's executive orders affect what's ahead for Colorado? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss these topics.

For the 3rd year in a row, Colorado lawmakers have introduced new pro-nuclear legislation with bipartisan support. Will the 3rd time be the charm? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the bill and how that would affect Colorado.Show Notes:Link to the bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040I2I’s testimony and coverage the last few times it was introduced-https://i2i.org/energy-environmental-policy-centers-testimony-on-bill-to-classify-nuclear-as-clean-energy/-https://i2i.org/colorado-lawmakers-to-consider-pro-nuclear-bill/-https://gazette.com/opinion/guest-column-pure-partisanship-kills-nuclear-energy-bill/article_b53422c6-b132-11ed-b0ea-2f95fb9340ea.html

A new year is under way and a new legislature is in session. What lessons will Colorado learn from its policies in 2024 and is it possible to save in 2025? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Xcel Energy customers are going to be paying more for heat pumps, whether or not they actually buy them. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the legislature's "Fenberg Rider" and why utility prices are going up.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2024/12/18/electric-grid-xcel-energy-ev-heat-pump-solar-wind-natural-gas/https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2024/05/06/cooke-xcel-energy-cash-cow-steve-fenberg-rider/https://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC_LTRA_Infographic_2024.pdf

Colorado's decarbonization goals, along with regulations on gas and oil producers have cost the state some money. You may be surprised to find out how much. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a discussion with Liberty Energy's Ryan Zorn to analyze the costs.Show Notes:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanzorn/https://libertyenergy.comhttps://rockymountainvoice.com/2024/06/zorn-colorados-passenger-rail-romance-vs-reality/

Colorado celebrates electric vehicle sales as first in the nation, but what does that mean, and are EVs having an effect on the climate? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke dive into the report and find out what is actually going on.Show Notes:https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/leading-nation-electric-vehicles-governor-polis-announces-colorado-has-become-1-nation-markethttps://i2i.org/unpacking-colorados-electric-vehicle-triumphalism/

Is nuclear power an option in Colorado? What are the benefits and what are the risks? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke talk with Mark Hinaman of Fire to Fission and the Colorado Nuclear Alliance to get all the details.Show Noteshttps://fire2fission.comhttps://www.coloradonuclearalliance.org

Colorado's Governor announces a 10 year goal for the transportation in the state. What does it look like? Who will it benefit? And, how much will it actually cost? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://gazette.com/colorado_politics/colorado-transportation-vision/article_e7405daf-cedf-5607-849d-f57c86a3db31.htmlhttps://www.9news.com/article/money/consumer/xcel-ev-rebate-program/73-b72bf9c0-6d7d-492d-ad02-a7d3aecae507

President-Elect Trump taps a Coloradan to lead the Department of Energy. Who is Chris Wright and what does his nomination mean for Colorado energy policy? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://libertyenergy.com/esg/bettering-human-lives/?mc_cid=ea430099a5&mc_eid=0dae6775a6https://libertyenergy.com

Colorado's leading climate lawmaker resigns his senate seat in a less than forthright way, spurring doubt on the future of energy policy in the state. Plus, PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss President Elect Trump's EPA pick and recent Black Hills Energy news.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2024/11/13/chris-hansen-colorado-legislature-resignation/https://www.utilitydive.com/news/gas-generation-grid-reliability-spp-black-hills-naruc-pjm/732760/https://www.spp.org/news-list/spp-board-approves-new-planning-reserve-margins-to-protect-against-high-winter-summer-use/

A letter reveals the Colorado Governor's Office is beginning to worry about the price tag that comes along with wind, solar, and battery power for the state. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this along with an update on local election results.

With the 2024 Presidential Election decided, PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the results and what the future holds for energy policy under the Trump Administration.

Many renewable energy technologies rely on limited minerals and resources to manufacture. And with increasing legislation along with increasing demand, are net zero goals even possible? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke interview Sarah Montalbano, a policy fellow at the Center of the American Experiment to find out.Show Notes:https://www.americanexperiment.org/mining-report-lack-of-minerals-put-net-zero-goals-out-of-reach/https://i2i.org/mama-make-america-mine/

Blue Cities and States across the country begin to sue oil and gas companies for climate change. Who is responsible and should the courts be the ones to decide? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with attorney and former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.Show Notes:-https://www.law360.com/environmental/articles/1883052/supreme-court-must-halt-for-profit-climate-tort-proliferation-https://libertyenergy.com/esg/bettering-human-lives/

Gas bills are spiking but it's just the beginning, and planned data centers are going to put an enormous energy strain on an otherwise overused power grid. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss these topics and more.

PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke review a utility price increase and figure out who is the reason behind it.

What are cumulative impact rulings and why are they about to start a war over Colorado's oil and gas drilling? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke explain what these are and how they affect the state of Colorado.Show Notes:https://tsscolorado.com/state-regulators-on-verge-of-passing-new-cumulative-impact-requirements-on-oil-and-gas-projects/https://coloradosun.com/2024/08/28/oil-and-gas-cumulative-impact-rules-coloraddo/https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/04/17/life-after-climate-change/

What is a Demand Side Management Program and why does it mean that XCel's customers need to subsidize energy for pot growers in Colorado? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss how this system works and what the implications are.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2024/09/11/xcel-energy-efficiency-budget-marijuana/

Energy blackouts in Colorado are happening more frequently, but why? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the deeper reasons why Colorado's energy reliability isn't just a question of power.Show Notes:DP story on Xcel’s power outage https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/11/xcel-energy-power-outages-colorado-puc-investigation/https://poweroutage.usCalifornia has problems too!https://www.wsj.com/opinion/californias-lights-are-out-and-gavin-newsom-isnt-home-energy-power-f51913f5?st=njgcgku5oql73y6&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

After candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump squared off in the recent presidential debate, PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the debate and what each administration would look like in terms of energy policies.

Where will the new power come from with our increasing energy needs? Consumer Regulated Electricity has some great possibilities and PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss it further with the founder of Advocates for Consumer Regulated Electricity Glen Lyons.Show notes: https://www.advocates4cre.orghttps://travisfisher.substack.com/p/what-would-consumer-regulated-electricityhttps://www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power-supply/consumer-regulated-electricity-the-path-to-faster-reliable-power-solutions-