Tony's Newsletter
Tracking Activities of the Colorado Renewable Energy Forum
From Colorado Working Landscapes, August 30, 2005
Volume 2, Issue 4
The Colorado Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is an organization of agricultural, energy, financial, legal professionals, local communities, and advocate organizations committed to the development of wind and other renewable energy resources. To be added to or taken off the distribution list for Tony's Newsletter please send an email to frank@workinglandscapes.com.
In this issue:
-How can Colorado Coordinate Transmission Planning with Amendment 37?
-Ethanol Marketing Project Proposed
-Harvesting Energy Tour Comes to Southeastern Colorado and San Luis Valley
“Farmers understand markets,” explained Chris Rundell. “We can produce a crop but if we can’t locate and deliver our crop to a market we haven’t accomplished anything. The same market principal applies to wind farms; we need transmission to deliver our product.” Chris was speaking to a room full of transmission planners representing all the electric utilities in Colorado and Wyoming.
Rundell, leader of Prairie Wind Energy, LLC, spoke during an August 25th presentation by CREF leaders to the Colorado Coordinated Planning Group (CCPG, http://ccpg.basinelectric.com) held at Tri-State G&T headquarters. Establishing better communication between transmission planners and renewable energy developers such as Rundell is a goal shared by CREF and John Collins, Platte River Power Authority and CCPG Chair. Collins and WAPA planner Bob Easton attended a recent CREF meeting with a PowerPoint presentation on CCPG (the presentation can be viewed at (www.workinglandscapes.com/CCPG_presentation_062205_files/frame.htm).
CCPG has begun preparation of a Long-Range Transmission Plan coordinated by Xcel Energy. The Plan is based on a power flow computer model run against the “base case” incorporating projected generation additions over the next ten years. The base case will include Xcel Energy’s All Source bids and Tri-State’s proposed base load power plants. This plan is created every two years and is expected by mid-January, 2006. How renewable energy resources required by Amendment 37 are incorporated into transmission plans is an open question.
Ron Lehr, Western Representative to the American Wind Energy Association and active CREF member, explained to CCPG members that the Texas and Minnesota legislatures have established policies that extend transmission to windy areas in advance of actual development. CREF will continue working with CCPG and other stakeholders to examine transmission planning options for Colorado.
In addition to Rundell and Lehr, CREF was represented by Fred and Kay Lynn Hefley of Baca Green, LLC, and John Covert of Colorado Working Landscapes.
How many 85% ethanol gas (E85) pumps are in the Denver Metro area? Do you have a flex fuel vehicle? These questions and many more were addressed recently at CREF’s latest meeting hosted by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union on August 19.
During the meeting a draft demonstration project to expand the number of E85 pumps in Metro Denver was discussed. The project would involve a partnership between urban stakeholders that are members of Denver Metro Clean Cities and agricultural organizations that are leading the Colorado Harvesting Energy Network.
Transportation fuel with a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline is referred to as E85. Several flex fuel vehicles (FFV) are being sold by major car makers that can run on both gasoline and E85. With gasoline prices continuing to increase, E85 is now selling at many locations for less than regular unleaded gasoline. However, there is a problem: Currently only five retail pumps exist in Metro Denver and many drivers are not aware that their vehicle is a flex fuel vehicle able to run on E85.
The demonstration project proposes to identify an area of the Metro Denver lacking an E85 pump, but having a significant number of flex fuel vehicles. The project’s members (including both rural and urban interests) would then seek to partner with a retail gas distributor in the target area willing to add an E85 pump and coordinate a strategic marketing and education initiative that would attract customers. With success at a demonstration site, it is believed a model will be born to support additional E85 pumps in other parts of Metro Denver.
Stacey Simms, Coordinator of the Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition, stated the purpose of Clean Cities is to expand the use of alternative fuels (e.g. ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, natural gas) that will reduce our dependence on imported petroleum and improve air quality. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Clean Cities is a partnership between the government and local industry. Currently more than 45 local businesses are members of the DMCCC. Other Clean Cities programs exist in Colorado and around the country. The program is fuel neutral, meaning that it does not seek to promote any one alternative fuel over another.
Information about Clean Cities can be viewed at www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/ or at www.alacolo.org/cleancities.cfm. Local businesses or organizations can learn more about becoming members of the Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition by calling Stacy Simms at 303-847-0271.
Congressman Mark Udall (D - Eldorado Springs) and former Colorado House Speaker Lola Spradley (R-Beulah) will bring the “Harvesting Energy Tour” to Southeastern Colorado and the San Luis Valley on August 31st and September 1st. The Colorado Farm Bureau and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union are sponsoring the tour, with Environment Colorado and Colorado Working Landscapes providing support. The tour will promote renewable energy as a tool for rural economic development in Colorado and discuss local projects that are being developed on the ground.
The tour starts Wednesday, August 31st, at the Lamar Light & Power wind farm, and then travels to Springfield. On Thursday, September 1st, the tour joins a breakfast in Trinidad with the Colorado County Economic Development Directors, followed by a tour stop in Alamosa and then ends in Canon City. A complete list of speakers and topics can be viewed at www.workinglandscapes.com. For more information contact Landon Gates with the Colorado Farm Bureau, (970) 218-0284 or the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union at 303-752-5800.
Below are the times and locations for the Tour:
Wednesday, August 31st
Prowers County –
Lamar
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Lamar Light & Power (ARPA)
Wind Farm
3 miles East of Lamar on HWY 50 and South 4 miles on County Road 12
Baca County – Springfield
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Baca County Resource
Center
1260 Main St
Springfield, CO 81073
Thursday, September 1st
Las
Animas County – Trinidad
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Breakfast with Colorado County Economic Development Directors
Trinidad State Junior College
Sullivan Student Center - George Leone Lounge
600 Prospect Street
Trinidad, CO 81082
Alamosa County – Alamosa
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Adams State College
Student Union Building A-131, Corner of 1st St and Stadium Ave.
Fremont County – Canon City
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Canon City Council Chambers
128 Main St
Canon City, CO 81212
Colorado Working Landscapes
Email: information@workinglandscapes.com
Phone: 303-283-3524
Colorado Working Landscapes (CWL) is a landowner-driven coalition of interests dedicated to the advancement of public policies and private initiatives to conserve land, preserve and sustain agriculture, and enhance landowner values while recognizing public benefits.