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Top 5 News Stories in Energy This Week

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Wind Farm

5Xcel Energy Pushes to Build $743M Colorado Wind Farm

Xcel Energy, continues to build on the more than 20 percent of energy supply deriving from wind energy with a $743 million wind project in Colorado. This announcement comes after those in 2017 and 2018 with the Rush Creek Wind Farm, a 600-megawatt project within the state. Currently seeking Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approval, Xcel Energy hopes to begin building another 500-megawatt wind farm in northeast Colorado set on a 2020 timeline.

Soybean Field Rows in sunset

4Richardton Ethanol Plants Looks to Carbon Capture

The Richardton Ethanol Plant, a Red Trail Energy project  in North Dakota looks at capturing carbon dioxide from the ethanol plant. Carbon capture technology helps reduce the carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere, helping reduce the plant’s overall carbon footprint. Once captured, the carbon will be stored in an injection well.

Gas station fuel pump octane

3California Gas Prices Spike to Over $4 per Gallon

Rising more than 70 cents in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, gas prices have spiked to an average of $4.02 per gallon last week according to AAA. The switch from winter to summer blend gasoline has impacted prices nationwide, with the national average up to $2.84 last week. With strict gasoline standards, issues with supply at refineries cannot easily be “made up for” so simply, resulting in higher gas prices for consumers across the state.Looking to support higher gas prices – click here.

Natural gas powerplant

22018 Saw Record-High Demand of Natural Gas

2018 saw increased natural gas production in the United States with the Marcellus and Utica Shale, as well as Permian Basin. Increased demand through the summer was met with record-level production levels out of the U.S., and provided back up during the winter cold snaps like the Polar Vortex.

Natural Gas Pipeline

1Trump Aims to Streamline Pipeline Projects

With two executive orders, Trump aims to continue America’s energy dominance and help streamline pipeline projects that have faced constant and harsh anti-development and ant-energy rhetoric. Last year the United States became the world’s leader in both oil and natural gas production. The other order gives Trump the authority to approve or deny energy projects that cross U.S. borders.

SB 421 May Cause Spike in Energy Costs

Austin Texas skyscrapers skyline aerial at sunset from helicopter

CEA President, David Holt, spotlights how anti-energy activist groups purposefully mischaracterize pipeline construction. As energy demand continues to rise, pipelines are needed to move that energy to consumers – bills like SB 421 in Austin, Texas only create unnecessary hurdles for pipelines.

The only way to maintain, even increase, cost savings for households and improve the environment is to approve and build more pipelines — the safest way to move energy, 4.5 times safer than any alternative — and to uphold a regulatory climate that guards the rights of landowners and the energy and environmental security of their neighbors evenly.

Read more – San Antonio Express-News

High Child Care Costs Squeeze New Mexico Families

Daycare for Children

Childcare is one of the biggest expense of any American family, but for many New Mexican families, it represents an even bigger share of their income.

New Mexico is the second-poorest state in the U.S. when measured by the number of people living at or below the poverty line, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Nearly a fifth of the state’s people are there, and 27 percent of the New Mexican children’s families are in poverty – one in every four kids in the state.

So imagine how much harder it is to pay for child care for those families, who are all living paycheck-to-paycheck with less-than-stable employment. Even the opportunities they and others in New Mexico have are few, because the state has the third-highest unemployment rate in the country, according to Department of Labor statistics.

For people in poverty, New Mexico’s childcare costs reach a debilitating level. For a married couple with two children who live in poverty, the cost is more than half their income to take care of the children at home, and it leaps to nearly 65 percent if they engage a child-care center.

It’s not all that much better for average families, either. Childcare for an infant and a 4-year-old costs more than the average rent in 4 out of 5 metropolitan and rural areas of the state, or about a third of household income, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

So with a third for rent and a third for child care, that leaves a third for everything else including bills, phones, credit cards, Internet and utilities. That means many New Mexicans have to keep these other costs down just to make it through the month.

One cost that takes a bit every month is electricity, and New Mexicans pay more than the national average of 2.1 percent of their annual income for that.

So even though it’s a stable cost that is usually manageable, it’s important to be sure you’re thinking carefully about the energy you use and letting your state and local representatives know that affordable energy is something you want to keep.

That will help with one part of the daily cost squeeze we all live with to make ends meet.

Moreover, there is another silver lining for people in New Mexico. The state’s energy industry is adding to America’s energy surplus through oil and gas production, and creating jobs at the same time which can help lift people out of poverty and create a better standard of living across the state.

That’s real, tangible growth. New Mexico’s Department of Workplace Solutions said that in February alone, the mining industry that includes oil and gas added 2,300 jobs to the state. That is to say, nothing of the unprecedented budget surplus it contributed to the state this year.

The more people earn, the easier it is to raise a family and make sure everyone is getting the care they need.

That will help on one side of the child-care squeeze by creating better incomes for New Mexico’s people, especially with billions of dollars being invested and much of it coming back to the state in the form of a budget surplus.

Lawmaker Wants to Target States Blocking PA Gas Expansion

Manufacturing on the factory floor

As states like New York continue to prevent their residents and businesses from accessing affordable, reliable supplies of natural gas which has caused higher prices and moratoriums on energy hookups, lawmakers are looking to take action and raise awareness of the problem.

Those states have limited the expansion of pipelines that curtails the ability to market gas from Pennsylvania, he said.

“It’s ridiculous” that one state can affect the livelihood of so many others, Yaw said in reference to New York. “It is so illogical,” he said.

Read more – Penn Live

Consumer Group Expresses Disappointment with Governor Polis after Signing SB-181 Leaving Uncertainty for Families and Businesses across Colorado

Colorado River Walk in Pueblo

Signed bill too nebulous and doesn’t account for all of Colorado’s energy consumers

Denver, CO — Today, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the nation’s leading consumer energy advocate, expressed their disappointment after Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bill 19-181 (SB-181), legislation that was fast-tracked through the Colorado assembly. As written, the bill’s primary focus is to restructure the state’s Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and delegate local control to communities along the Front Range.

“This bill would dangerously curtail new oil and gas development, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, decrease much-needed Colorado tax revenue and eliminate the bulk of the savings residents and businesses have seen in energy costs in recent years,” said Andrew Browning, CEA’s Chief Operating Officer in Denver.

“This legislation purports to protect the health and safety of Coloradans, based on politics, not science. The biggest drawback is that it has the genuine potential to make our state another fortress for socio-economically privileged citizens who are capable of paying the highest electricity rates in the country while pushing out and further marginalizing those who are unable to subsist in Colorado’s increasingly more expensive cost of living.”

Oil and gas production in Colorado provide affordable sources of abundant energy which contribute more than 1 billion dollars in state and local tax revenue.  Clean-burning natural gas is also a significant economic and environmental boon to various areas of the state.  

According to Browning, “SB 181 is ambiguous, with many questions about how it will be implemented.  It was also signed without an opportunity to conduct a full economic study due to the hasty process associated with this legislation.  Because of this, there is no clear understanding of the long-term impacts this bill will have on families, businesses, and taxpayers. Unfortunately, bills like this have consequences, and often it’s too late to address those consequences once something like this passes.

“Unfortunately, those consequences will be passed along to our friends and neighbors, because ultimately they are what is at stake when the dust settles.”

CEA recently conducted an analysis that showed the energy industry helped Coloradans save over $12.4 billion over the last ten years. Savings our growing communities need. This bill was ultimately written thinking about only a few cities in the Front Range, but this needs to be legislation that is for all of Colorado – not just a few communities. 

“Aside from the dollar impacts to companies, employees and state and local coffers, the real question is: How will the losses resulting from this bill be shouldered by Coloradans,” asked Browning? “It is CEA’s opinion that Colorado consumers will ultimately end up shouldering the burden by paying higher taxes. This bill means that the state is losing revenues for essential public services like schools, hospitals, emergency responders, police and more. Where will the state come up with this money?  The voters in the state should be concerned that new taxes may be imposed to make up for this significant lost revenue.”

He finished by saying: “One thing is for sure – restricting energy is bad politics, and families and businesses should take note just what bills like SB-181 will do to their wallets, and their budgets.”

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic and environmentally responsible solutions to meeting our energy needs.

Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org

Consumer Energy Alliance Announces New Report on Impacts of Increased Production and Infrastructure in Colorado and Utah’s Piceance and Uinta Basins 

Hiking in Utah

Report Spotlights How Abundant Gas Resources Will Drive Economic and Environmental Benefits

DENVER – April 15, 2019 – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading consumer advocate for energy, today released a report on “Natural Gas Markets for the Western States and Tribal Nations,”detailing how abundant natural gas resources in the Piceance and Uinta basins of Colorado and Utah can help regional and global communities thrive economically and environmentally — if more production and infrastructure expansion efforts are approved.

“The Piceance-Uinta Basin has a unique advantage over other U.S. and Canadian conventional and shale production areas, which is its abundant and available pipeline export capacity throughout the western U.S.,” Andrew Browning, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Energy Alliance said.

“Western States and Tribal Nations (WSTN), a newly formed advocacy group, is facilitating conversations between the natural gas industry, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, conservation groups, tribes, outdoor recreation groups and other relevant participants — all of whom want to learn how more energy production and pipelines can benefit Colorado, Utah, the sovereign Ute Nation and neighboring states, regions, the nation and other countries — fiscally and environmentally,” Browning added.

Dr. Laura Nelson, Utah Governor’s energy advisor and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, said, “Utah is committed to creating win-win outcomes for economies, locally and globally, by forging strategic partnerships to advance new pathways for the western states and tribal nations’ abundant natural gas resources through key infrastructure development and greater market access abroad.” She added: “As demand for LNG continues to increase in emerging markets throughout the Asia Pacific region, we’re poised to play a pivotal role for providing energy solutions that drive greater economic and environmental results.”

Per the analysis, titled “Development and Export of Natural Gas Resources from the Piceance-Uinta Basin,” LNG exports produced from the basins could add as much as $92.7 billion in annual U.S. GDP through 2030 and as much as $3.26 trillion in cumulative benefits through 2050. LNG exports would also help sustain as many as 432,900 U.S. jobs annually through 2050.

Local economies would benefit most. Using a formula outlined in a 2013 study by consulting firm ICF International — a report which estimated the value of LNG exports for each state, including producing and manufacturing returns — Colorado can expect an estimated $6 billion in revenue and about 38,000 jobs. Utah could see $4 billion in revenue and approximately 15,000 jobs.

The Ute Tribal Business Committee stated, “Through the construction of liquefied natural gas pipelines and a west coast export terminal, such as the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal, Ute Energy can gain access to new energy markets that will alleviate the ongoing marketing and sales inefficiencies.  This would also increase the Ute Indian Tribe’s income and assist in its ongoing efforts of economic development and providing essential services for its tribal members.”

“Our counties are committed to marketing our natural gas resources to Asia and other countries, to help stabilize economies in western Colorado and aid in the geopolitical stabilization of America’s allies abroad,” said Rose Pugliese, Mesa County Commissioner.

LNG — a cleaner-burning fuel source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and produces negligible sulfur, mercury, and particulate emissions — supports the integration of renewable energy resources. This is a primary reason why more countries are using LNG as a power generation fuel. Case in point: Strong, soaring demand for LNG in the Pacific Basin has resulted in new Asian markets for Piceance-Uinta Basin natural gas production, per CEA’s report. By using more U.S.-produced LNG, consumers in the Asian markets are reducing industry-related emissions and lowering energy costs, a must in the fight against poverty.

“What we do here in the Rockies, the decisions we make about energy development, don’t just affect us; they reverberate around the world,” Browning said. “This is an opportunity for us to help bring Rockies-made energy resources to countries across Asia who are eager for access and looking for energy markets to meet that need.”

The WSTN study, compiled by Colorado Mesa University’s Unconventional Energy Center, was commissioned by the Colorado Energy Office under former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development, and the Ouray and Uintah Utes. These stakeholders have recently been joined by the following Colorado counties: Garfield, Mesa Moffat, and Rio Blanco.

To view the report, click here.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic and environmentally responsible solutions to meeting our energy needs.

Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org

Continued Shutdown of Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project Negatively Impacting WV Workers, Businesses

Father and Daughter Sitting in the Kitchen with Bills

Anti-energy extremists continue their march against modernizing America’s energy infrastructure causing wide-spread job losses for families across our region while preventing the safe delivery of natural gas to decrease emissions.

According to officials with Dominion, more than 4,500 skilled construction workers in West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina have been laid off or have been subject to delayed hiring as a result of the project’s delays.

Read more – WV News

The Cost Benefits of Natural Gas

Family gardening

Claudia Duck Tucker, a resident of Amherst, VA., cites Consumer Energy Alliance report titled,“Affordable Natural Gas Saves Virginia’s Energy Consumers Billions” when describing the benefits and savings natural gas has brought to Virginians.

Energy prices have stabilized as the country has increased production of natural gas. We definitely see the results in Virginia. According to the Consumer Energy Alliance, in the 10 years between 2006 and 2016 Virginians saved almost $11 billion between 2006 and 2016 by embracing natural gas to heat their homes and businesses.

Read more – The News & Advance

Consumer Group Applauds Colorado Counties for Signing Memorandum to help develop Western State Energy Resources for Global Markets

energy resources

Denver, CO – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading consumer advocate for energy, applauded County Commissioners and community leaders in Garfield, Mesa, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Rifle, CO today joining the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development (OED) and the Ouray and Uintah Utes in a newly formed advocacy group. The group, named Western States and Tribal Nations (WSTN), was formed to collaborate on the development of domestic natural gas resources produced in the western United States, including Colorado and Utah, to export to international markets.

The signing was done in advance of the group’s first report being released Monday, April 15th, entitled, “Natural Gas Markets for the Western States and Tribal Nations.” The report will detail how abundant natural gas resources in the Piceance and Uinta basins of Colorado and Utah can help regional, and global communities thrive economically and environmentally — if more production and infrastructure expansion efforts are approved.

“WSTN establishes a common approach toward developing markets for Piceance and Uintah natural gas between the states of Utah and Colorado that will help strengthen and benefit the rural economies of both states,” said Andrew Browning, CEA’s Chief Operating Officer based in Denver. “The addition of these counties through this MOU will help to strengthen this region’s intent on building out the resources, and the infrastructure necessary to help enhance these local economies, provide opportunities for local families and businesses, and contribute a resource that can help our region, the nation, and the world as we work to reduce emissions.”

For the past several months, the WSTN group has been working diligently to study and develop a proactive framework for facilitating conversations between a diverse group of stakeholders to identify opportunities for market development of Piceance and Uintah basins natural gas.

“Our counties are committed to marketing our natural gas resources to Asia and other countries, to help stabilize economies in western Colorado and aid in the geopolitical stabilization of America’s allies abroad,” said Rose Pugliese, Mesa County Commissioner.

A full press release and the report, detailing the group’s findings will be released on Monday, April 15th. To see the release and report under embargo, please contact Emily Haggstrom.

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic and environmentally responsible solutions to meeting our energy needs.

Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org

Consumer Groups Express Strong Support for President Trump’s Recent Executive Order to Expedite Pipeline Projects

Construction Worker with Excavator

WASHINGTON, DC – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) President David Holt issued the following statement of strong support for the recent executive order issued by President Trump to expedite the construction of pipeline projects, removing impediments to update and build out our nation’s energy infrastructure:

“On behalf of CEA, we applaud the Trump Administration’s executive orders to remove roadblocks and pushback against the deliberate stall tactics by a few state politicians aligned with extreme activist groups who thwart the energy needs of neighboring states by preventing the construction of critical energy delivery infrastructure like pipelines.

“Some states are abusing their review authority under the Clean Water Act to frustrate the development of critical multi-state projects. They are frequently changing regulatory requirements, delaying projects with little to no justification, and making it hard for states, and the energy industry, to make plans.

“There also appears that a few elected leaders don’t have a plan for actually meeting the energy needs of families throughout the nation. These are their constituents. They are families on budgets, seniors, and those struggling to make ends meet, and they are hurt the most because of the lack of consistent, transparent, regulatory process which is driving up prices for electricity and home heating bills. These price increases are especially true in areas of the country like the Northeast and New England that already have some of the highest costs of living in America.

“Further, these arbitrary delays are putting our energy security at risk in addition to denying communities and our skilled labor force from enjoying economic benefits and putting people to work. We were pleased that President Trump made the announcement at a CEA member facility – the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) international training center in Crosby, Texas – where workers are receiving state-of-the-art training to construct, and maintain, projects across the country.

“America’s Energy Renaissance is fundamentally changing the world and lowering prices for everyone – all while the U.S. continues to be a world leader in emission reduction and environmental improvement.”

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading consumer advocate for energy, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households and businesses across the country. CEA works daily to encourage people across the nation to seek sensible, realistic and environmentally responsible solutions to meeting our energy needs.

Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org

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