April 2009
By: Jerry Forte, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
I've watched over the past 24 months as electricity - from generation to conservation - has emerged as one of our greatest global challenges and opportunities.
In the 2008 U.S. election, presidential candidates took an earnest interest the demand for energy supply options in our country. The federal administration is committed to clean, secure energy, and is already taking action as part of the New Energy Plan for America.
At the state level, the Governor's Energy Office is working to advance energy efficiency and renewable resources in Colorado. In the state legislature, 18 bills were introduced this year to encourage reformative thinking when it comes to utilities generation and customer use.
And just this month, the Environmental Protection Agency announced an endangerment finding for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, some of which are emitted via the electric generation process. The EPA found significant threat to human health and will likely add these emissions as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Until regulation is finalized, the affect on utilities' operations and customer bills is unknown.
These are merely snapshots of what is developing into our nation's energy landscape. How these initiatives play out remains to be seen, but at Colorado Springs Utilities we're taking responsible actions now to mitigate potential impacts and respond to your expectations.
Although we have an excellent operating record, we expect mandates for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other emissions to get stricter in years to come and we intend to be ready - leading the way to clean coal.
Take our emissions control technology testing at our downtown Martin Drake Power Plant, for instance. Through our partnership with local entrepreneur Dr. David Neumann, we are testing Neumann System's Groups' PurestreamT air purification device, which has the promise of decreased emissions and reduced costs.
At the state level, the Colorado Renewable Portfolio Standard requires that from 2007 through 2010, we provide 3 percent of our retail energy sales from renewable sources. This increases to 6 percent from 2011 through 2014, and 10 percent beginning in 2015.
Hydropower in one of the ways we are meeting these standards. Currently, 5 percent of our energy supply is derived from hydropower and more is on the way.
The Cascade Hydroelectric Facility is the next hydroelectric project planned for our service area. The new facility is being built on the same land as our current pressure-reducing station near Highway 24 and the Pikes Peak Highway. Upon completion, the facility will generate about 850 kilowatts of electricity using water from the north slope of Pikes Peak. That's enough electricity for about 600 homes.
So much of the work we do to protect the environment is achieved through community partnerships. Last year, we were proud to support School District 11's solar installation, and in 2009, we're working with the U.S. Air Force to build a two megawatt solar power plant on USAF Academy grounds. The energy produced, enough to power about 1,400 homes, will help power the Academy as well as the rest of our community. The plant will be built by our employees and financially-supported by stimulus money provided to the Academy.
While these large-scale project partnerships are critical to our operations and responsible use of resources, the changes you can make at home or at your business are just as meaningful.
It doesn't take much to make a difference - just a small shift in thinking and behavior. We offer a number of programs to help, from CFL discounts to rebates on energy-efficient appliances and home improvements. And, to help you keeps tabs, we're working on technology that will make a Colorado Springs smart grid a reality, allowing you to manage how much use and when you use it.
Think about how you can wisely use our natural resources, not because legislation requires it but because it's the right thing to do. Get connected today at getthegreenback.net or csu.org. Thanks for doing your part to help protect the environment.
