In Colorado, conservative and pro-oil and gas communities support renewables, too

By Rod Pelton and Greg Brophy

(This opinion piece first ran in The Colorado Sun on December 15, 2019.)

If you believe some politicians and media pundits, the way we produce energy in the United States is extremely controversial.

To hear them tell it, some people are wedded to fossil fuels and other people only want renewables. The two sides are locked in vicious political combat and the idea of them ever working together is impossible, according to the political and media elite.

None of that is true, of course, especially here in the eastern Colorado. Yes, we produce fossil fuels, but we are also leading the nation in a transition to renewable energy sources.

In fact, in many cases the communities most supportive of renewable energy are also big supporters of traditional energy sources, like oil and natural gas.

If you want proof, just read a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden. The report details the economic impact from a new 600-megawatt wind farm on Colorado’s Eastern Plains.

The massive wind farm spans four rural counties – Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne – and was developed by state’s largest utility company, Xcel Energy.

The Rush Creek Wind Farm is part of Xcel Energy’s plan to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2030 and then become 100% carbon free by 2050.

However, rather than focus on environmental issues, we’d like to point out that the NREL report tells the story of the wind farm’s significant economic benefits. For example, during the construction phase, the Rush Creek Wind Farm supported 620 jobs in the four counties where the project is located and increased the region’s economic output by $78 million.

The NREL report also examined the supply chain impact of the project on the statewide economy, because all of the wind turbine blades, towers and nacelles were built in Colorado at facilities owned by Vestas Energy. Statewide, Rush Creek’s construction supported 2,970 jobs while adding $570 million in economic output.

With the construction phase complete, the local economy will see 47 new jobs and $9 million in economic output supported by the wind farm every year, according to NREL. Statewide, the project’s annual economic footprint will be 180 jobs and $33 million in economic output.

Those jobs, by the way, will have average salaries of about $64,000 per year, well above the state average. Next, there’s tax revenue. NREL estimates Rush Creek will generate $62.5 million in property taxes over the next 25 years. These revenues will support public schools, libraries, fire departments and other essential services – and the estimates do not include millions of dollars in additional permitting fees and sales and use taxes tied to the project.

The NREL report also examines the lease payments due to farmers, ranchers and other property owners with turbines on their land. Those lease payments are estimated to be worth $45 million over the life of the project, which will “help farmers and ranchers maintain financial stability when commodity prices are low or bad weather hits the region.”

Overall, the authors of the report found that 72% of locals interviewed support the development of wind energy in their community. Likewise, 67% of local businesses experienced a positive impact from the project, according to the report.

These findings are remarkable enough on their own. But the Rush Creek story is even more noteworthy because this large-scale wind farm was built in a conservative corner of the state that strongly supports oil and natural gas development. 

Consider the following: As a group, Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne counties voted Republican in last year’s gubernatorial election in Colorado by a margin of 74% to 20%. At the same time, these four counties voted no on Proposition 112 – a ballot measure that would have all but banned oil and gas development in Colorado – by 76% to 24%. 

Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne counties also produced over 1.5 million barrels of oil and more than half a million cubic feet of natural gas last year, according to state data. And they did it while fully embracing the expansion of renewable energy in Colorado. 

Because here in eastern Colorado, “all of the above” isn’t a political slogan – it’s just the way we do things. It’s also an example the rest of the country would do well to follow.

Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) represents House District 65.  He is a farmer and rancher. 

Greg Brophy is a former state legislator from the Eastern Plains and the Colorado director of The Western Way.

AZ Business Leaders and TWW Discuss the Future of Energy

This week, The Western Way partnered with Greater Phoenix Leadership and the CNA Military Advisory Board to host a panel discussion with industry leaders from around the state on the future of energy in Arizona.

Anchoring the discussion was a presentation by Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, USN (Ret.), a member of the Military Advisory Board’s small and elite group of retired three- and four-star officers from all branches of the U.S. military, focusing on the national security imperative of adopting clean and advanced energy technologies.

The panel discussion was moderated by Pat Graham, Arizona Director of The Nature Conservancy, and in addition to Vice Admiral Gunn, USN (Ret.) featured John Coggins, Associate General Manager and Chief Power System Executive at Salt River Project, one of Arizona’s largest utilities; Glenn Hamer, President and C.E.O. of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Representative Steve Pierce, a long-standing member of Arizona’s state legislature.

An impressive cross-section of Arizona business leaders and stakeholders attended the event, including representatives from Arizona’s utilities, public university system, and some of the state’s largest businesses.

The robust discussion covered topics ranging from how to increase deployment and adoption of renewable energy technologies across the state, including in rural areas, to opportunities for private sector innovation, participation and partnership in advance energy adoption, and how to motivate lawmakers to support the new energy infrastructure that makes the grid more reliable.

The panel discussion was part of a two-day visit by Vice Admiral Gunn, USN (Ret.) to Arizona, in which The Western Way coordinated presentations and discussions with the Arizona Corporation Commission, current and former state government officials, and business leaders that emphasized the need to ensure grid security and how Arizona can take advantage of its domestic energy resources. 

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Gardner Delivers in Senate for Commonsense Conservation Measures

On November 19th, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner (CO) that will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and invest in restoring national parks across the country.   The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, S. 1081, passed through the committee by a vote of 13-7.  Sen. Gardner is the lead original cosponsor of S. 1081 along with bill sponsor Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).  The committee also passed Sen. Gardner’s Restore Our Parks Act, S. 500, to address the $12 billion park maintenance backlog and to establish the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund, by a vote of 15-5. 

Moving these pieces of legislation through committee is a major accomplishment for Sen. Gardner and various sportsmen, outdoor recreation, and conservation groups from across the country gave praise to the Senator and the Committee for moving these important pieces of legislation. 

 “We at BHA thank Sen. Gardner for his leadership in introducing and advancing legislation that dedicates $900 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said John Gale, Conservation Director of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “Currently, more than 435,000 acres of state trust lands and 18,000 acres of public lands in Colorado are inaccessible to hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists. LWCF dollars could help enhance sportsmen’s access in Colorado by acquiring lands and collaborating with local stakeholders.”

"The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation applauds the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus for voting to advance S. 1081 to provide permanent and dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)," said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. “Permanently reauthorized earlier this year as part of S.47, LWCF also includes the Making Public Lands Public initiative that requires a portion of LWCF funds be set aside specifically for the purpose of increasing public access for America's sportsmen and women, which makes this program critically important to receive dedicated funding.”

 “Today’s Senate Committee vote brings the LWCF Permanent Funding Act one step closer to becoming a reality,” said Kristine Stratton, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) President and CEO. “NRPA thanks Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO) Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) for taking action and introducing a bill to fully fund LWCF, an important piece of funding our member agencies rely on to help provide access to parks and recreational opportunities in communities across the country. We urge members of Congress to join the House and Senate Committees in support of this bill because everyone deserves a great park.”

“With bipartisan support for LWCF and the Restore Our Parks Act from members like Senator Gardner we are one giant leap closer to providing more wildlife habitat, access and suitable infrastructure for recreation on our shared public lands and waters. Whether you ski, snowmobile, dive, ATV, hike, bike, motorcycle, fish, camp or hunt, these bills will open up new and better opportunities to enjoy safe and scenic outdoor experiences today, and for generations to come,” said Jessica Wahl, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Executive Director.

“From Rocky Mountain to Mesa Verde, America’s national parks are falling into disrepair due to billions of dollars in needed repairs and upkeep, while at the same time facing constant threats of development from within their borders,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association. “Our parks need and deserve dedicated funding to address their growing maintenance needs and to help protect additional lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Thanks to congressional champions like Senator Gardner and strong bipartisan support, these two important park bills are moving forward to ensure our parks have the resources they need, that will benefit park visitors and communities across the country.”

SRP Announces Largest Solar Battery Storage Project in Arizona

TWW congratulates Arizona’s SRP for recently announcing the purchase of the state’s largest solar powered battery project.  The Sonoran Energy Center will be an approximately 250-megawatt system with the solar array charging a 1 gigawatt-hour energy storage system and will be built in Little Rainbow Valley, south of Buckeye.  SRP also announced the purchase of a second solar plus storage facility, the Storey Energy Center will be an approximately 88-megawatt solar and energy storage system and is scheduled to be built south of Coolidge.

 “These integrated solar and storage plants will allow SRP to meet its summer peak demand, reduce carbon emissions, and provide clean energy to our customers while optimizing energy output using state-of-the-art battery technology,” said SRP General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mike Hummel. “In addition, these plants will get SRP more than 60 percent toward our goal of adding 1,000 megawatts of new utility-scale, solar energy to its system by the end of fiscal year 2025.”

Combined, these plants will generate enough solar energy to power approximately 100,000 homes and will store excess energy in state-of-the-art battery storage systems that will be available to customers during the peak energy usage period when demand is at its highest.

SRP used a transparent “All-Source” solicitation to select the best contract for the project, awarding it to NextEra Energy Resources.  Earlier this year, TWW released a study on the economic impact of similar solar plus storage project in Arizona and found that these projects lead to significant economic development opportunities for the state by providing jobs and millions in local and state tax revenues.  The study found that rural renewable projects in Arizona annually contribute an estimated $63 million in economic activity and sustain over 700 jobs with combined wages of over $33 million.  The facilities also contribute nearly $1 million in annual property tax revenue benefiting Arizona schools. 

“We are pleased to help SRP serve its customers with more clean, affordable, renewable energy, combined with the flexibility of battery energy storage systems,” said Matt Handel, vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy. “These projects will also provide a significant economic boost for their local communities and for Arizona, including good jobs and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue.”

Click here for a video from SRP detailing the projects.

TWW Presents at Western Governor’s Association’s Reimagining the Rural West Initiative

TWW’s Colorado State Director, Greg Brophy participated in Western Governor’s Association’s most recent workshop focused on North Dakota Governor and WGA Chair Doug Burgum’s Reimaging the Rural West Initiative.  Brophy spoke on a panel focused on Emerging Opportunities in Energy at a workshop for the initiative held in Santa Fe, NM on November 4th to 5th. 

The panel discussed emerging opportunities for rural communities to capitalize on their natural resources and the practices, policies and partnerships that can foster energy research, technology and industries.   Brophy was joined by Jeff Edwards, Executive Director, Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative and Melissa Fox, Program Director, Applied Energy Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Brophy highlighted The Western Way’s recent work regarding the economic impacts and development opportunities that rural renewables have in western states.  Offering the findings from TWW’s rural renewable economic impact studies in Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada as the potential for rural communities in other Western states to benefit from an “all of the above” energy development strategy. 

The next workshop as part of the Reimagining the Rural West Initiative will take palace on December 3rd with Idaho’s Gov. Brad Little will hosting and delivering remarks during the in Post Falls, ID. Topics of discussion will include strategies to upgrade energy efficiency in rural areas, engage new communities in the outdoor recreation industry, and increase access to remote telehealth services.

Click here to watch Greg Brophy’s panel presentation at the Nov. 4th and 5th Emerging Opportunities in Energy Workshop.

TWW Applauds Senators for Taking Action to Fully Fund LWCF

TWW was glad to see strong bi-partisan support from Western Senators today in introducing an amendment to the FY2020 Appropriations budget for the Department of Interior.  The amendment sponsored by Senators Cory Gardner (CO), Michael Bennet (CO), Martin Heinrich (NM) Steve Daines (MT), Jon Tester, Richard Burr (NC), Susan Collins (ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH), would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at it’s maximum authorization level of $900 million which has only happened twice in history. 

The strong bi-partisan support of the amendment shows that the wide support in the Senate for full funding.  Senate leadership should take up the issue this session and make full funding for LWCF a reality. 

Comments from the Senators on the importance of the amendment are below:

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the crown jewel for conservation projects in Colorado, and now that we were successful in permanently reauthorizing the LWCF, the next step is to make the funding automatic,” said Senator Gardner. “While those conversations are ongoing, it is important to show that we are committed to fully funding the program, and that’s what this amendment does. Our beautiful public lands rely on this critical conservation program, and it’s time for Congress to fully and permanently fund it.”

“I have been a proud advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, America’s most successful conservation program, for more than a decade,” said Senator Burr. “It’s our responsibility to preserve our nation’s natural landscapes for our children and grandchildren, and by fully funding this important program, at no cost to taxpayers, we can do just that. I appreciate Senator Gardner’s leadership in introducing this amendment and for my colleagues continued commitment to conserving our nation’s public lands.”

“After ten years, our work to permanently reauthorize LWCF paid off earlier this year with the passage of the lands package,” said Senator Bennet. “Now, we must fulfill our promise to the next generation of Americans by fully funding the program. This amendment will provide full funding for LWCF, ensuring the program reaches its full potential this year.”

“LWCF is a critical tool to preserve the Montana way of life and protect our public lands for future generations,” said Senator Daines. “I will continue fighting for full funding of LWCF through every avenue possible—including this bipartisan amendment.” 

TWW Calls for Transparency and All Source Competitive Bidding in Tri-State Energy Planning Rules

Today the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) heard public comments on resource planning rules for Tri-State Generation and Transmission.  This is an important process which will create the guidelines for how Tri-State’s next Electric Resource Plan is implemented.   TWW called on the PUC to ensure that the final ERP rules are fully transparent and ensure competitive all source bidding to make sure that Tri-State’s local cooperative members and ratepayers receive benefits from the lowest cost resources. 

More specifically with regard to transparency, TWW noted:

 TWW believes that a full transparency is required for a successful ERP process.  Tri-State recently announced its “Responsible Energy Plan” but it is unclear how this facilitated stakeholder process will be incorporated with current and past ERP stakeholder requests.  TWW trusts that the “Responsible Energy Plan” will follow the traditional ERP stakeholder process and will adhere to the PUC’s new ERP rules formed in this proceeding, as well as providing opportunities for local cooperative members to weigh-in on the plan.   

Full transparency is also needed with regard to the data and information that Tri-State will be submitting to the PUC for its ERP to fully understand the complicated demands and needs of the Tri-State system.  TWW agrees with United Power, in their comments to this proceeding on September 25, 2019, with respect to the need for disaggregated data and for disclosure of members that have left or will be leaving the system and members that are intending to move to partial contracts.  Submitting aggregated data on energy and demand forecasts would be worthless for planning purposes and could lead to significant miscalculations of Tri-State’s complicated and interconnected system.  3605(b) of the proposed Rule would require that Tri-State submit energy and demand forecasts on a disaggregated basis for all of the member cooperatives is key to providing a full understanding of the system needs and requirements during the planning process.   

The ERP rules should also require transparency around the debt levels that Tri-State maintains.  Moody’s Investor Service recently noted, that the situation with Tri-State and Delta-Montrose “exemplifies a situation where the [rural cooperative’s] interest does not align with the [Tri-State] creditors’ interest.”  TWW has noted the connection between Tri-State’s debt service requirements on its $3 billion in debt and the impact on rates paid by local cooperatives.[1]  A clearer picture of how the existing debt load impacts future resource decisions and rates would benefit rural cooperative rate payers. 

On the issue of all source competitive bidding, TWW noted how some of Tri-State’s past non-competitively bid resource acquisitions have led to large financial write-downs and that the Colorado PUC has had a successful recent experience with Xcel Energy’s Colorado Energy Plan, a competitive bidding plan which led to significant savings for ratepayers.  Rural ratepayers in the Tri-State system should be afforded the same cost savings derived from all source competitive bidding.

All source competitive bidding for all new resources should also be a requirement for Tri-State to follow.  TWW appreciates Tri-State’s comments to this proceeding from September 25, 2019, which noted that Tri-State has and will continue to conduct competitive bidding for renewable resources.  TWW believes that all source competitive bidding is crucial to ensuring that rate payers are protected, and that Tri-State’s write down of $93 million for the non-competitively sourced Holcomb Expansion are avoided in the future.  An all source competitive bidding process for all of Tri-State’s future resource acquisitions would ensure that Tri-State receives the most up to date market signals based on price and optimal generation resources.  

[1]See Blog Post: In Response to TWW, Tri-State Contradicts Own Testimony on ‘Cheaper Prices’ and ‘Death Spiral’. (2019). Retrieved at: http://www.thewesternway.org/tww-blog/tristateletter

Western States Governors Ducey, Herbert, and Little Recognize National Clean Energy Week

Governors Doug Ducey, Arizona; Gary Herbert, Utah; and Brad Little, Idaho all signed resolutions marking the week of September 23rd as National Clean Energy Week in their states.  TWW applauded the Governor’s commitment to an all of the above state energy policy that powers each of their state’s economy, utilizes domestic resources, and provides environmental benefits. 

Gov. Ducey highlighted the importance that the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station plays to Arizona’s emission free electricity generation and the fact that Arizona has more cumulative solar energy installed than almost any state in the country.

Governor Herbert noted how Utah’s “all of the above market-based approach” to energy policy has put Utah on the cutting edge of a growing renewable energy sector which is helping drive Utah’s economy. 

Governor Little detailed how 75% of Idaho’s utility-scale net electricity comes from renewable sources.  Governor Little also noted that Idaho is the fourth largest generator of hydroelectricity in the country, has some of the best geothermal production in the country, and that the Idaho National Laboratory is driving new innovations in energy research and development which benefit Idaho and the entire country. 

Senator Cory Gardner Named 2019 Clean Energy Champion

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) named Colorado’s Senator Cory Gardner a 2019 Clean Energy Champion and was honored during National Clean Energy Week.  Sen. Gardner was praised for his record of delivering balanced, bipartisan solutions to environmental and conservation challenges. 

“As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with jurisdiction over energy generation and the bulk power grid, it’s an honor to be selected to receive the Clean Energy Champion Award from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions,” said Senator Gardner. “By focusing on responsible energy development, energy reliability and affordability, and the environment, we have the potential to make a better life for all Americans and our nation more secure.”

While many Republicans have dodged difficult issues related to conservation and the environment, Sen. Gardner leaned in and took a critical leadership role to address these challenges head on.  Sen. Gardner has driven balanced solutions that not only improve the environment, but also support the U.S. economy. Sen. Gardner has driven bipartisan environment and conservation solutions at a time Washington, D.C., has virtually succumbed to partisan gridlock. 

Being honored as a 2019 Clean Energy Champion is just the latest example of recognition that Sen. Gardner has received for his pragmatic approach which has served Colorado and the nation well over the last five years.

Sen. Gardner’s record on clean energy and conservation issues is unmatched, here are some of the other recent highlights and praise for his record: 

  • Sen. Gardner championed renewable energy before it was trendy. In 2015, Sen. Gardner was a leader in crafting a bipartisan agreement on tax credits for wind and solar (PTC & ITC) that would gradually ramp down, giving industry the certainty it needed to drive investments and make the renewable resource market competitive. Again in 2017, Sen. Gardner played a pivotal role in stopping proposed tax changes from wiping out the PTC and ITC. Today, Sen. Gardner is part of a bipartisan group of U.S. senators working toward the expansion of incentives for large-scale batteries and other energy storage projects. These efforts have resulted in renewable energy emerging as a cost-competitive resource that contributes to an all-of-the-above energy balance.

  •  Sen. Gardner announced as 2018 U.S. wind champion. In 2018, Sen. Gardner was named U.S. Wind Champion for the 115th Congress by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “The Senator fights tirelessly creating opportunity for Coloradans, crafting fair tax policy, strengthening energy security with transmission infrastructure, and securing funding for breakthrough wind power research at NREL,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan.

  •  Sen. Gardner demands climate response based on science. Sen. Gardner is a national leader for science-based research and technologies to combat climate change. In 2017, Sen. Gardner co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to shield scientific agencies from political interference — an effort that drew high praise from the scientific community. “We are gratified that these Senators have not only helped to advance Earth and space science but also have put aside partisanship to further sound science policy,” the American Geophysical Union said.

  •  Sen. Gardner receives science champion award. In 2019, The Science Coalition presented Sen. Gardner with its distinguished Champion of Science Award, which honors leaders whose actions and votes consistently reflect their commitment to fundamental science research.

  •  Sen. Gardner led the most significant conservation legislation in a decade. Sen. Gardner led a bipartisan effort to pass what The Washington Post described as “the most sweeping conservation legislation in a decade, protecting millions of acres of land and hundreds of miles of wild rivers across the country.” The legislation combined more than 100 different conservation bills and permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which funds critical outdoor projects across America without any taxpayer dollars.

  •  Sen. Gardner earned national parks award. The National Parks Conservation Association awarded Sen. Gardner with the National Park Heritage Award in 2019 to recognize his leadership on public lands and conservation issues.

Sen. Gardner’s accomplishments on environmental and conservation policy are objectively remarkable for a first-term U.S. senator. According to Georgetown University and the Lugar Center, Sen. Gardner is one of the top five most effective members for driving bipartisan solutions in the U.S. Senate.

Senators Call on Leadership to Fully Fund LWCF

A bi-partisan group of U.S. Senators are calling on leadership from both parties to fully and permanently fund The Land and Water Conservation Fund.  Nine senators, including Colorado’s Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet and Montana’s Jon Tester and Steve Daines, called on congressional leaders to fulfill the original promise of the LWCF.   

 “As you work to enact legislation that will address Federal funding needs for fiscal year 2020 and beyond, we urge you to seize the opportunity for including a bipartisan win for future generations—full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (‘LWCF’). This investment would protect and conserve our national parks and public lands, support the nation’s $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, and finally fulfill the original promise of the LWCF,” wrote the senators.

“We strongly urge Congressional leaders to seize the historic opportunity and enact legislation to this longstanding priority in the 116th Congress,” wrote the senators.  “We look forward to working with you as you begin consideration of funding for fiscal year 2020 and beyond.”

 The full letter can be found here.

SRP and Partners Lead on Long-term Forest Stewardship

In an effort to restore healthy forests and protect critical watersheds in Arizona, SRP, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management released a major RFP to promote a sustainable industry that can provide large-scale forest restoration.   This five-member partnership known as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) is an innovative response to combating wildfires and ensuring water supply and infrastructure. 

TWW commends SRP and the other four partners for addressing a critical issue with a new approach that aims to cut down bureaucracy and create a viable market that will drive forest stewardship.    

The RFP calls for one or more large-scale, long-term stewardship contracts that will reduce forest fuel loads, improve forest health, and improve wildlife and plant diversity. The 4FRI area includes more than 2.4 million acres of which more than 1 million acres need mechanical thinning. The goal of 4FRI is to mechanically thin 50,000 acres per year. The health of these watersheds and prevention of catastrophic wildfire is critical to the long-term sustainability and reliability of SRP’s water supplies and infrastructure.

In a release, SRP highlighted the importance of the project and why they are involved:

“To understand why SRP is so involved, it's first important to understand why forest health matters to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area as a whole. Forests in northern and eastern Arizona are the lifeblood of SRP's water supply. The runoff from rain and snow that fall on those forests flows downstream, filling reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers. When those forests are healthy, they protect winter snow-pack, preventing it from melting too fast, and filter runoff so that water flowing into reservoirs is clean and relatively free of sediment. SRP’s watersheds are in five national forests with almost 60% of the land area within the Salt and Verde River watersheds and 100% of the East Clear Creek watershed being managed by USFS. SRP operates and maintains the federal reclamation project’s seven reservoirs and associated water works that provide a reliable and sustainable water supply to municipal, agricultural and industrial customers in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

Unhealthy and overgrown forests on National Forest System lands are fuel for large catastrophic wildfires that affect the health of the Salt, Verde and East Clear Creek watersheds. Massive wildfires make average precipitation events extremely destructive; accelerating flood flows and runoff, eroding soils, depositing sediment into water storage reservoirs, and ultimately causing hundreds of millions of dollars in increased treatment costs and reduced water storage capacity.”

Read more about the RFP and 4FRI partnership here and here.

Tapping Geothermal Can Propel Nevada Communities Forward, says Guinn

Rural communities in Nevada are welcoming the Bureau of Land Management proposal to open up public lands for geothermal energy production.

On Sept. 17, 2019 the agency is set to launch the bidding process that would open up 141 parcels of public land totaling 386,837 acres across Churchill, Eureka, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Washoe and White Pine counties. As a result, it’s expected to be the largest act of its kind in state history.

Becoming a leader in geothermal energy production is in the best interest of our state and for our rural communities.

Why is this important? Geothermal is a profitable renewable energy source. Our resources are ranked among the best in the country. Moreover, geothermal energy is reliable and cost-effective, and isn’t tied to fuel costs. Importantly, geothermal is not an intermittent source of energy, but generates energy every day around the clock.

Earlier this year our organization, The Western Way, released an economic impact study on rural renewables in Nevada. It assessed 29 rural renewable projects that were constructed from 2006 to 2017. In that time frame, these projects generated a total of $7.9 billion for their local economies that led to the creation of 12,000 jobs, resulting in  $947.3 million in wages. Overall, $152.3 million in state and local tax revenues were generated. This resulted in measurable economic benefits for rural Nevada.

As the federal government controls 84% of public lands in our state, BLM’s plan to enable safe exploration and development of geothermal energy production on public lands should be applauded. Their plan perfectly falls in line with a multiple-use, sustainable-yield view of land management that is good for both the environment and the economy.

The agency’s announcement to open up geothermal leases also aligns perfectly with the Trump administration’s America-First Energy Plan, an all-of-the above energy plan including fossil fuels and renewable sources like geothermal that can be produced on public lands.

Energy independence is critical for our nation’s well-being and for the consumer. With this in mind, Congress should consider and act on H.R. 3794 — the bipartisan Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 to further spur development of rural renewables here in Nevada. If passed, this bill would encourage and permit the production of geothermal energy on public lands and create a new revenue sharing mechanism to bolster local communities even further.

Our organization was formed to drive conservative leadership on western conservation and environmental issues. We work with local governments to reduce red tape and bring information regarding new energy sources like geothermal to counties that desire it. Exploring and developing geothermal energy, for instance, aligns with a limited-government, balanced-use philosophy that is returning to natural resources development and land management.

The Silver State has the potential to increase rural renewable energy production of geothermal sources. Our communities will substantially benefit from the influx of investment dollars, new jobs and more tax revenue.

This heavily underutilized resource has the potential to propel our state, and the rest of the country, into the future — a future with a clean energy outlook.

Blake Guinn is the Nevada Director of The Western Way (TheWesternWay.org), a nonprofit organization urging Western conservative leaders to acknowledge actual environmental challenges and deliver efficient, pro-market solutions.

This piece originally ran in the Reno Gazette Journal on September 13, 2019.

Administration Delivers on Expanded Access for Hunters and Anglers on Public Lands

Just in time for hunting season, today Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced major expanded hunting and fishing opportunities on our country’s public lands.  Hunters and anglers will have new opportunities at 77 National Wildlife Refuges and 15 National Fish Hatcheries.   The majority of these expanded opportunities are found in the Western United States and include special places like Wyoming’s Seedskadee NWR which will now be open to white-tailed deer and elk hunting on its 24,437 acres.   In Colorado, the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery will be open to sport fishing for the first time in it’s history.  In Arizona, seven National Wildlife Refuges ranging from Havasu to Kofa will expand hours, season date ranges, and the methods of take. 

 “This is the largest single effort to expand hunting and fishing access in recent history,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “President Trump has made increasing public access and streamlining government functions priorities of his administration, and this new rule delivers on both fronts given the unprecedented expansion of public acreage and removal or revision of 5,000 hunting and fishing regulations to more closely match state laws. This is a big win for sportsmen and sportswomen across the country and our collective conservation efforts.”

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $156 billion in economic activity in communities across the United States in 2016. Over 101 million Americans — 40 percent of the U.S. population age 16 and older — pursue wildlife-related recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Prior to opening units for hunting and fishing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develops specific management plans for each refuge or hatchery and ensures continued compliance through annual reviews. Through responsible habitat and species management more Americans will have the opportunity to hunt and fish on their public lands.     

The final rule also cuts red tape by simplifying over 2,900 refuge specific regulations to comply with President Trump’s mandate to reduce the regulatory burden on the public. 

BLM to Hold Largest Geothermal Lease Sale in Nevada History

On September 17th the Bureau of Land Management will offer 141 parcels totaling 386,837 acres for competitive bidding of geothermal leases.  The parcels located in Churchill, Eureka, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, and White Pine counties in Nevada will be the largest geothermal lease sale to ever take place in the state.  Nevada’s geothermal resources are ranked among the best in the country and customers benefit from reliable around the clock renewable power that is not tied to fuel costs.  NV Energy currently has 486 MW of installed nameplate geothermal energy capacity in the state through 19 different projects. 

The BLM announcement of the lease sale noted:

“In keeping with the Administration’s goal of strengthening America’s energy security, the BLM supports an all-of-the-above energy plan that includes oil and gas, coal, hydroelectric, and renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar – all of which can be developed on public lands.”

BLM started leasing geothermal projects in 1978, and currently manages over 800 geothermal leases. 50 of them are in producing status generating 1,648 MW of power across the country, enough to power 500,000 homes and accounts for 40% of the country’s geothermal energy production.  Geothermal leases on BLM lands generate over $12 million in Federal royalties annually with 50% going to states, 25% going to counties and the final 25% going to the federal government.   

Earlier this year, TWW released an economic impact study on rural renewables in Nevada and provided a case study of the potential economic benefits of new geothermal facilities being built in Nevada.  Specifically the case study examined adding a 75 MW facility in Lyon County which would result in:    

  • The total direct and indirect benefits of construction activity in Lyon County could be an estimated $14.9 million in total output ($10.9 million direct output + $4 million indirect and induced output) produced by 26 employees (18 direct employees + 8 indirect employees) earning a total of about $2.3 million ($1.8 million direct earnings + $505,000 indirect earnings) during the construction period.

  • The total direct and indirect benefits of annual operations in Lyon County could be an estimated $8.9 million in total output ($7.4 million direct output + $1.5 million indirect and induced output) produced by 42 employees (21 direct employees + 21 indirect employees) earning a total of about $3.1 million ($2.4 million direct earnings + $715,000 indirect earnings). The benefits will include an annual direct fiscal benefit to Lyon County of an estimated $323,100.

Wyoming Wind Repowering Project Means Additional Tax Revenue

Pacificorp announced that it has acquired sole ownership of the Foote Creek I wind generation facility in Carbon County, Wyoming.  Pacificorp plans to repower the facility which was Wyoming’s first utility scale wind project commissioned in 1999.  The 41.4 mW facility led the way for Pacificorp to invest billions of dollars in wind farm development across the west over the last two decades resulting in Pacificorp as the largest regulated utility owner of wind assets in the west. 

“Twenty-one years ago, PacifiCorp and its partners’ development of Foote Creek I helped pave the way for utility-scale wind energy as an industry-defining demonstration project,” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO of Pacific Power. “Today, this new investment in the project builds on our vision to even better harness wind energy and power the grid with increased efficiency, delivering even more low-cost, renewable energy to our customers.”

 The 68 existing 600 kW turbine generators that were originally installed will be replaced with 13 state of the art turbines with higher capacity levels increasing the energy output of the facility by 60 percent.  The repowered facility will be able to power 19,500 homes.  Over the next 30 years, the project is expected to generate an additional $14 million in tax revenue for Wyoming. 

 “Acquiring full ownership and repowering Foote Creek I provides a unique opportunity to upgrade the company’s oldest wind plant, located in one of the most favorable wind energy sites in Wyoming, applying the latest technology so that it can continue to serve our customers well into the future,” said Gary Hoogeveen, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power.

Sen. Cory Gardner's Commitment to Conservation is Unmatched

In 2020, Colorado has one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the country, and the political attack ads have already begun.

The left wing’s opening salvo, including Conservation Colorado’s recent piece published in The Colorado Sun, claims that Sen. Gardner has not delivered on his campaign promises to support the environment.

Conservation experts will tell you that could not be further from the truth.  

While many Republicans have dodged difficult issues related to conservation and the environment, Sen. Gardner leaned in and took a critical leadership role to address these challenges head on. Sen. Gardner has driven balanced solutions that not only improve the environment, but also support the U.S. economy. Sen. Gardner has driven bipartisan environment and conservation solutions at a time Washington, D.C., has virtually succumbed to partisan gridlock.  

This pragmatic, solutions-based approach is exactly what voters should demand from our elected officials and should reject extreme positions that get nowhere and pulls our country apart.

Distinguishing political spin from facts can be tricky, so let’s examine Sen. Gardner’s actual record on environment and conservation issues since he was elected U.S. senator less than  five years ago:  

  • Sen. Gardner led the most significant conservation legislation in a decade. Sen. Gardner led a bipartisan effort to pass what The Washington Post described as “the most sweeping conservation legislation in a decade, protecting millions of acres of land and hundreds of miles of wild rivers across the country.” The legislation combined more than 100 different conservation bills and permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which funds critical outdoor projects across America without any taxpayer dollars.

  • Sen. Gardner earned national parks award. The National Parks Conservation Association awarded Sen. Gardner with the National Park Heritage Award in 2019 to recognize his leadership on public lands and conservation issues.

  • Sen. Gardner championed renewable energy before it was trendy. In 2015, Sen. Gardner was a leader in crafting a bipartisan agreement on tax credits for wind and solar (PTC & ITC) that would gradually ramp down, giving industry the certainty it needed to drive investments and make the renewable resource market competitive. Again in 2017, Sen. Gardner played a pivotal role in stopping proposed tax changes from wiping out the PTC and ITC. Today, Sen. Gardner is part of a bipartisan group of U.S. senators working toward the expansion of incentives for large-scale batteries and other energy storage projects. These efforts have resulted in renewable energy emerging as a cost-competitive resource that contributes to an all-of-the-above energy balance.

  • Sen. Gardner announced as 2018 U.S. wind champion. In 2018, Sen. Gardner was named U.S. Wind Champion for the 115th Congress by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “The Senator fights tirelessly creating opportunity for Coloradans, crafting fair tax policy, strengthening energy security with transmission infrastructure, and securing funding for breakthrough wind power research at NREL,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan.

  • Sen. Gardner demands climate response based on science. Sen. Gardner is a national leader for science-based research and technologies to combat climate change. In 2017, Sen. Gardner co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to shield scientific agencies from political interference — an effort that drew high praise from the scientific community. “We are gratified that these Senators have not only helped to advance Earth and space science but also have put aside partisanship to further sound science policy,” the American Geophysical Union said.

  • Sen. Gardner receives science champion award. In 2019, The Science Coalition presented Sen. Gardner with its distinguished Champion of Science Award, which honors leaders whose actions and votes consistently reflect their commitment to fundamental science research.

  • Sen. Gardner established caucus to drive bipartisan solutions. Just last week, Sen. Gardner founded a GOP conservation caucus. The new Roosevelt Conservation Caucus will “embrace and promote constructive efforts to resolve conservation and environmental problems that align with market-based approaches and promote American ingenuity.”

Sen. Gardner’s accomplishments on environmental and conservation policy are objectively remarkable for a first-term U.S. senator. According to Georgetown University and the Lugar Center, Sen. Gardner is one of the top five most effective members for driving bipartisan solutions in the U.S. Senate.

While Colorado’s 2020 U.S. Senate race will draw outlandish claims from all sorts of special interest groups, Sen. Gardner’s record delivering balanced, bipartisan solutions to environmental and conservation challenges is beyond reproach. 

This piece from TWW’s Jon Anderson was published by The Colorado Sun on July 28, 2019.

Barrasso Moves Major Transportation Infrastructure Legislation

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) scored a major victory for transportation infrastructure this month when his bipartisan legislation, America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act, passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee markup with a unanimous 21-0 vote.  The legislation invests $287 billion in our country’s roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure.  This is a critical investment to maintaining a strong economy. 

The legislation also addresses emissions reductions in the transportation sector by dedicating funding and creating a new set of incentives to reduce emissions through efficiencies, new infrastructure, and mitigating traffic congestion.  Through a grant program the legislation will result in new infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles, (including electric, natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells), in highway corridors where the infrastructure doesn’t exist.  This ensures that rural regions of the country are not left behind as new technologies come to the market.  The bill also requires that federal agencies create a strategy to transition their fleets to electric, hybrid-electric, and alternative fuels within a year of enactment.

The legislation will also direct $250 million in funding towards a wildlife crossing pilot program that will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.  The Federal Highway Administration has reported that there are more than 1,000,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions every year.  This program will provide for crossing structures that will not only improve safety on our highways but will be part of effective wildlife corridors.    

Co-sponsor Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and Senator Barrasso noted in a joint opinion piece why addressing critical transportation infrastructure is so important:

Our response is simple. Give states the money, flexibility, and incentives to build safer and more modern highway and bridge systems that will connect more Americans, power our economy and endure the test of time for the next decade and beyond. Our legislation streamlines government regulations while prioritizing environmental protection so that projects are built better, faster, cheaper and smarter.

In the same piece the Senators also noted that:

Our climate is changing, and we recognize that. We also recognize the need to reduce carbon emissions from our transportation infrastructure. Dedicated funding and new incentives in our legislation will help states reduce their total transportation emissions. For example, states can get funding to help mitigate traffic congestion in urban areas. They also can choose to develop plans to reduce transportation related emissions and compete for additional funds if they meet or exceed them.

TWW encourages the full Senate and House to move quickly on this bipartisan legislation and send it the President Trump’s desk where he has indicated support for the deal. 

Nevada’s PUC Should Consider Economic Development Benefits of Rural Renewables

TWW submitted comments to the Nevada PUC today highlighting the importance of considering rural locations for utility scale renewables that will be built to implement Senate Bill 358.

Renewable energy is an economic driver. A report we commissioned in partnership with the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that renewable energy projects in rural Nevada benefit the state and rural communities with a significant amount economic impact. From 2006 to 2017, 29 rural renewable projects led to a total output of $7.9 billion that flowed into the Nevada economy, created 12,056 Nevada jobs, paid $947.3 million in wages paid to Nevada employees, and resulted in over $152 million in tax payments to state and local governments.  These projects help drive investment and jobs to regions of our state that often go overlooked. 

Rural Nevada has the key assets to rapidly increase our state’s share of renewable energy: ample land; community interest; nearly limitless solar, wind and geothermal resources; and workers eager to for these development opportunities. These counties are open for business, ready to welcome new developments that will strengthen their economies and create good-paying jobs. The rest of Nevada would benefit, too, by tapping into homegrown power from our rural neighbors without having to buy electricity from California or other states.

Roosevelt Conservation Caucus Drives Leadership on Commonsense Conservation

Earlier this week, Senators Cory Gardner (CO) and Steve Daines (MT) announced the formation of a bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus.  Senators Gardner and Daines, both of which will co-chair the caucus along with Sen. Lindsay Graham (SC), were joined by their colleagues from the Senate and the House to spell out the why they formed the group and its importance to leadership in the national debate on conservation and environmental issues.   

 “In Colorado we are blessed with abundant and diverse natural resources, and we take pride in being responsible stewards of the environment,” said Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), co-chair of the Senate Caucus. “Every American should want to protect the environment and pass our beautiful country on to the next generation better and cleaner than it was given to us. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues today to officially launch the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, a platform that will help shine more light on Republican efforts on innovative, economically viable policies which will both improve the environment and make sure the American people continue to have the highest quality of life possible.”

Members said the caucus would give a platform to “effective and common-sense solutions to environmental and conservation issues.”  TWW could not agree more that our country is in need of solutions that will improve our environment without crippling our economy.   TWW applauds the leadership from Roosevelt Conservation Caucus leaders.

 “Thanks to capitalism and technological advancements, millions of Americans enjoy one of the cleanest environments and highest standards of living,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the co-chair of the Senate Caucus.  “Unleashing solutions that enhance and protect our environment are essential to ensuring economic growth, energy independence, and national security.”

 

Gov. Herbert has Turned Utah into a Leader in Energy Innovation by Focusing on “All of the Above”

At the end of May, Utah Governor Gary Herbert hosted his annual Energy Summit which was a true display of how an “all of the above energy strategy” can unleash innovation to build the economy and protect the environment.  Over, 1,100 attendees heard from notable speakers including Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, members of Congress, and CEO’s from a variety of energy companies and utilities. 

Gov. Herbert made several major announcements at the conference including the world’s largest clean energy battery facility, a DOE grant for geothermal energy development, and a multi-state agreement on natural gas development was also expanded.  Taken individually these are major innovation announcements in the energy sector but announced on a single day shows that Gov. Herbert’s strategy to welcome all sources of energy development is paying off.

More details on Gov. Herbert’s major energy project announcements are below:

  • ACES Project – Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Magnum Development launched a 1 GW Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) project in central Utah.  It will be the largest energy storage of its kind in the world.  The project in Millard county will utilize the region’s unique salt domes to employ four types of storage technologies including, renewable hydrogen, compressed air storage, large scale flow batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells. 

  • DOE FORGE Project – In what was described as a once in a lifetime opportunity, the Department of Energy announced that Milford, Utah was selected as the location for the Frontier Observatory in Geothermal Energy (FORGE).  Utah will receive $140 million in funding for the next five years for cutting edge research and development in enhanced geothermal recovery utilizing techniques similar to oil and gas industry’s hydraulic fracturing process.

  • WSTN Signing Ceremony – Gov. Herbert’s Office of Energy Development led a ceremonial signing to expand the Western States and Tribal Nations Agreement on natural gas to include the Wyoming Pipeline Authority.  The coalition aims to market clean burning western natural gas to international markets which would be a financial boon to rural counties in the west and the Ute tribal nation. 

Summarizing Utah’s work as a leader in energy innovation, Dr. Laura Nelson, head of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development and the Governor’s Energy Adviser said that Utah,  “…is committed to creating and building the strategic partnerships that provide local, regional and global leadership for powering a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy economy.  Governor Herbert's strategic energy plan continues to accelerate unprecedented investment, innovation and workforce opportunities for Utah's diverse energy landscape and provide the energy future that delivers global solutions to meet ever-evolving market demands."