CEA Releases Comprehensive Solar Incentive Analysis; Highlights Importance of Pro-Solar, Pro-Grid, Pro-Consumer Policies

As part of Consumer Energy Alliance’s (CEA) Solar Energy Future campaign, the organization yesterday released a new report, “Incentivizing Solar Energy: An In-Depth Analysis of U.S. Solar Incentives,” that provides a comprehensive quantification of solar incentives available for U.S. energy consumers. The report analyzes the cost for a typical solar facility in 15 states and details the federal, state, and local incentives available for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV). No previous analysis has ever quantified this data.
 
Among the report’s key findings: 

  • Existing Incentives For Residential Solar PV Are Significant

  • Third Party-Owned Solar PV Facilities Receive Significant Incentives

  • Existing Incentives May Change the Economics of Future Investments in Solar

  • The NEM Incentive Shifts Costs onto Less Affluent Customers

  • Incentives For Residential Solar PV Vary Widely Among The States

The report also found that government incentives, combined with utility offered incentives, have reduced residential customers’ net costs of installing rooftop solar systems to record-low levels. These reductions are now so significant that, in many states, total incentives are greater than a solar system’s total costs. In light of these dramatic cost reductions, many states are re-examining the scope and methods surrounding their incentive programs and are now considering programs that rely more on a competitive marketplace to provide the economically optimal levels of rooftop solar adoption.
 
“As the technology continues to advance, solar energy is becoming an even more incredibly powerful and cost-competitive technology that has the potential to change the face of American energy both today and in the future,” said Michael Whatley, Executive Vice President of CEA. “Solar brings with it tremendous benefits for all consumers. Solar’s deployment has been truly remarkable as growth rates have exceeded 40% a year for the past five years.”
 
Whatley added: “As solar energy continues to progress as a larger slice of America’s all-of-the-above energy pie, we hope that CEA’s new report will help yield pro-solar, pro-grid and pro-consumer policies to ensure the proliferation of solar technology, the continued efficiency of a robust electric grid, and increased access to clean, renewable, affordable, and reliable energy sources for all American consumers.”
 
The report analyzed the incentives for solar in a cross section of states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and North Carolina. This report relies on public data and a relatively analytical, conservative approach to quantify the most common incentives for solar energy. To review the full results of this analysis and a copy of the report, please visit solarenergyfuture.org.

South Metro Denver on Path to Sustainable Water Future

Key Take-Aways

  • SMWSA Master Plan shows tremendous progress transitioning to renewable water
  • South Metro region now a state leader in conservation, efficiency and reuse
  • Hecox: ‘More to be done, but there is no question we are on the right path’


Greenwood Village, Colo. –- The South Denver Metro region has made tremendous progress securing a sustainable water future over the past 12 years thanks to aggressive efforts to conserve water, maximize efficiency and invest in renewable water supplies, according to the results of the 2016 South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA) Master Plan Update, released on August 9, 2016.

“A remarkable transformation is happening in the South Metro region,” said James Eklund, director of the state's water agency and architect of Colorado's Water Plan. “Colorado's Water Plan calls for innovative water management and this study demonstrates how this important region is transitioning to a more sustainable water supply.”

The report, produced by SMWSA and its technical consultant, CH2M, is the most definitive study of water demand and supplies of the region in nearly a decade.

“The study confirms our region’s tremendous progress toward securing a sustainable water future,” said Eric Hecox, executive director of SMWSA. “There is more to be done, but there is no question we are on the right path.”

Historically many communities in the region relied on nonrenewable groundwater from the Denver Basin Aquifer system for much of their water supply. For some, it was their only water supply as recently as 12 years ago. The significant decline in groundwater levels was unsustainable and threatened to undermine the region’s economic vitality and overall quality of life.

Recognizing the challenge, water providers joined forces in 2004 to create SMWSA and develop a plan. The result of that work to date is outlined in the Master Plan update:

  • Transition to renewable water: In 2004, less than half of the region’s water supply came from renewable sources. By 2020, more than three-fourths (78 percent) of the region’s water supply will come from renewable water supplies, according to the study. This marks a significant transformation of the region’s water supply. By 2065, a full 85 percent of the region’s supplies will come from renewable sources, according to the study. Notably, this progress is being made despite a projected 130 percent increase in total water demand over the same period.
  • Investment in renewable water projects: This transition to renewable water is the result of a number of regional projects that communities throughout the region have invested in, including WISE, the Chatfield Reallocation Project, Reuter Hess Reservoir, the ACCWA/ECCV Northern Project, Castle Rock’s Plum Creek Water Purification Facility and many more.
  • Leading in conservation: The South Metro region has established itself as a leader in conservation and water stewardship with some of the strongest and most effective conservation efforts of any region in the state. Per capita water demand in the region decreased by 30 percent since 2000. The region now boasts among the lowest consumption rates in the state.
  • Maximizing efficiency: SMWSA and its members are maximizing water efficiency by reusing water to the fullest extent possible.

“This is tremendous progress given the immense water challenges the region faced just 12
years ago,” said Mike Fitzgerald, president and CEO of the Denver South Economic
Development Partnership. “We are on a path to a secure and sustainable water supply, which is
critical to maintaining our region’s excellent quality of life and economic vitality for future
generations.”

More Work Ahead
While the region is on track to meet projected demand as far out as 2065, more work is needed to ensure that happens, Hecox said.

Future possible projects and plans include adding new supply and storage, groundwater
management, conservation and efficiency.

“We must execute on current plans, continue our conservation efforts, build our renewable
supplies and maximize what we have through reuse,” Hecox said. “If we continue the course,
we will deliver on our promise of a secure water future for the region.”

About South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA)
The South Metro Water Supply Authority is a regional water authority comprised of 13 water
provider members that collectively serve about 80 percent of the population of Douglas County and 10 percent of Arapahoe County. SMWSA was established in 2004 to develop and execute a plan to provide a secure and sustainable water future for the region.

Through increased negotiating power and collaborative support for new projects, SMWSA is
transforming the region’s water supply and creating a sustainable future for generations to
come. For more information, visit: southmetrowater.org.

Media Contact:
Russ Rizzo
303-825-6100
[email protected]

Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open Hosts Kick-off at the University of Denver

The Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open announced the fourteen entrepreneurials that have been selected to participate in the world’s largest cleantech accelerator. In its ten-year history, Cleantech Open has helped 1,036 startups accelerate their businesses, raising $1.135 billion in funding and creating 3,067 cleantech jobs. The organization runs a six-month program to connect startups with people, resources, and visibility to help them succeed.

Participants from the 2016 Cleantech Open Rocky Mountain region are:

Agua Inc. Water - Colorado

Big Blue Technologies Chemicals/Advanced Materials - Colorado

Commute Matters Inc. Transportation - Colorado

Crystal Clear Technologies Inc. Water - Arizona

Global Village Power LLC Energy Efficiency - Colorado

Helios Products LLC Green Building - Utah

iLumens Energy Efficiency - Utah

InCycle Water Water - Arizona

Larix Chemical Science LLC Chemicals/Advanced Materials - Colorado

nanoMetallix Chemicals/Advanced Materials - Colorado

Reef Life Restoration Water - Utah

Urbix Resources LLC Chemicals/Advanced Materials - Arizona

Wave Solar Technologies Energy Efficiency - Colorado

Well Water Data - Colorado 

Over the next few months, the teams will receive coaching from Cleantech Open’s network of talented business mentors, one-on-one consulting with specialists, an intensive business boot camp at the Cleantech Open National Academy, and extensive local supporting events, training and materials. This support helps each team develop a comprehensive business plan and investor pitch that will be presented to professional investors and experts to determine which teams will advance to the finals.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2016 Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge

In continued support of a collaborative approach to lessen the environmental impact of energy generation and development, Colorado Cleantech Industries Association (CCIA) is hosting the third annual Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge on September 1, 2016 in Denver, CO.

As the oil and natural gas industry evolves and faces challenging markets, they continue to invest in technologies that address methane mitigation, resource usage, water quality and operational risk. Through the OGCC, CCIA brings together innovative early stage companies and oil and natural gas leaders to identify technology solutions for these challenges.

Interested cleantech companies will enter a competitive vetting process, after which 10-12 companies will be invited to present their technologies to the oil and natural gas partners. Applications are due on July 15, 2016. 

Apply Today 

For more information, please contact Mary Austin, [email protected]

 

 

Negative Economic Impacts of Energy Setback Initiative 40 Times Worse

DENVER (June 15, 2016) – The news continues to worsen for the proponents of Initiative #78, which aims to add mandatory 2,500-foot setbacks from new and existing oil and natural gas operations. Earlier this month, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) released a report detailing that the proposed setbacks would ban 90% of Colorado from future energy development. The report drew the ire of business leaders around the state.

“As we’ve said all along, the extremists behind this ballot issue want to chase our energy sector and the 100,000 jobs it provides out of Colorado,” said Vital for Colorado Board Chair and local attorney Peter Moore. “The setback initiative would have a devastating impact on our energy sector and the thousands of other local businesses whose livelihoods rely on partnering with the industry.”

The setback initiative received another blow this week following a report by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The report finds that Colorado’s Piceance Basin, thanks to a new assessment of the Mancos Shale formation within the Piceance, may have 40 times more natural gas reserves than previously thought making it the second largest field of recoverable natural gas in the United States. While many, particularly on the jobs-starved West Slope, celebrated the news, it was quickly overshadowed by the looming setback ballot initiative that would ban access to these vast natural gas reserves.

Colorado’s Piceance Basin primarily overlays Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. According to the COGCC setback study, these counties will be the most affected by Initiative #78 banning future energy development in 98.9% of Garfield County and 99.2% of Rio Blanco County.

“The USGS study was certainly welcome news for our West Slope communities because it offers an optimistic future to many families and individuals,” said Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrea Maddalone. “Sadly, the initiative proponents aim to stifle that hope.”

While the proposed initiative hasn’t yet qualified for the ballot, paid petition gatherers are collecting signatures in the Denver Metro area to put the constitutional question on the November ballot.

“I know when Coloradans across the state learn more about the damaging effects to our urban and rural economies, they’ll loudly voice their opposition and decline to sign these petitions,” Maddalone concluded.

Contact:
Rich Coolidge
[email protected]
(720) 420-4255

Announcing 2016 Downtown Denver Prototyping Festival, Open Call for Projects to Support Strengthening Vitality of the 16th Street Mall

DENVER (April 1, 2016) – The Downtown Denver Partnership and Downtown Denver Business Improvement District announced today the 2016 Prototyping Festival, an opportunity for the community to submit prototype ideas to make the 16th Street Mall a more vibrant public space. The Prototyping Festival is a component of The Mall Experience, an ongoing collaboration with the City and County of Denver and involving the Regional Transportation District, that aims to bring more people to the Mall and encourage them to stay longer. Community members spanning all walks of culture, practice and discipline are encouraged to submit creative proposals for the Prototyping Festival that are sustainable, engaging and create a unique sense of place along the Mall.

The Prototyping Festival, to be held July 23-24, is an opportunity to experiment with ideas for public spaces, and showcase ideas for how participatory design, art and technology can create connections and greater ownership of public spaces and how they are used. Accepted submissions will receive a $2,500 stipend to support project creation and installation.

“The 16th Street Mall is one of our most vital public spaces, and we are focused on ensuring its future as an authentic, self-sustaining place that is supported by the entire community,” says John Desmond, executive vice president of downtown environment for the Downtown Denver Partnership. “We encourage the entire community, including artists, designers, entrepreneurs and all those interested in ensuring the vibrancy of the Mall to submit their ideas for installations that can transform the visitor experience Downtown.”

Accepted submissions will be showcased during the final weekend of Meet in the Street, which returns for five consecutive weekends this summer, beginning June 25. Analysis of Meet in the Street, including the Prototyping Festival, will help hone in on long-term changes to the Mall and adjacent sites following an initial report and recommendations from Gehl Studio released earlier this year. This is the third year of Meet in the Street, which is funded by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District.

The application process will be open from April 1 through May 15, 2016. Accepted submissions will be notified by June 1. The application and additional details are available at downtowndenver.com.

The Partnership will co-host an information session on April 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Commons on Champa (1245 Champa St., Denver) on the Prototyping Festival, Meet in the Street, and other opportunities to support strategic planning efforts for Downtown including The Next Stage and The Outdoor Downtown.

Additional details about activation programs to make Downtown Denver a premier summer destination, will be announced later this spring.

For more information visit www.downtowndenver.com.

About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

About The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District
The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) is a public organization funded by private commercial property owners. It strives to provide a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown environment for workers, residents and visitors. Through their annual assessments to this quasi-governmental entity, BID property owners fund a series of district-wide programs that enhance Downtown Denver, including cleaning and maintenance efforts, safety initiatives and targeted visitor marketing. The BID is an independent organization that contracts with the Downtown Denver Partnership to manage its work program. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com/about-the-bid.
 

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Contact: Brea Olson
[email protected]
03.775.4712

Colorado Mining Association's Sanderson to Retire After 22 Years as President

Geopros to Conduct Nationwide Candidate Search for Successor

Denver, CO – The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) announced today that Stuart Sanderson will retire from the position of President & Chief Operating Officer effective September 30, 2016, a position he has held since October, 1994. Following his retirement, Sanderson will continue to serve as a consultant to the 140 year old trade association and to other clients.
 
The Board of Directors is also pleased to announce that the search for his successor will begin following the 118th National Western Mining Conference & Exhibition March 21-24, 2016 at the Colorado Convention Center.   
 
CMA has retained Geopros, Inc., a nationally recognized direct-placement recruiting firm, to conduct a nationwide search for a new President & COO. Interested candidates are asked to communicate directly with Jill Nelson at [email protected] or Lois Brooks at [email protected]. Please do not contact or submit resumes directly to CMA.  
 
Following his retirement, Sanderson will continue to serve as a consultant to the CMA under a non-exclusive consulting services agreement for a six month period ending March 31, 2017. He will report to the new CMA President.  
 
“It has been my honor to serve the hard working men and women of Colorado’s mining industry for more than two decades,” Sanderson said. “Today’s announcement is the result of an orderly transition that has been underway for more than one year,” he added. “I look forward to participating in the recruitment of a successor,” he added “and continuing to serve the mining industry and other clients in the future.” 
 
Sanderson, an attorney, is credited for leading the CMA through a challenging transition following his retention in 1994, boosting membership and improving the Association’s financial condition. He also led the effort to keep Colorado open for the business of mining, spearheading the defense of state laws that promote the responsible development of the state’s mineral resources when those laws were subject to legislation and other initiatives to ban modern mining technologies. Under his leadership, CMA has engaged regulatory processes constructively to facilitate the continuation of mining operations. He has authored numerous articles on mining related issues and has appeared as the industry’s spokesman before local and national news organizations and broadcast networks.  
 
Colorado currently ranks 10th among the states in the production of clean coal, 4th in gold, and 1st in molybdenum. The state is also a significant source of pure sodium bicarbonate, gypsum, limestone and other specialty mineral production. Overall, mining generates about $3 billion in revenues, and nearly $9 billion in overall economic benefits for the state. Mine workers are among the highest paid industrial workers in Colorado.  
 
CMA Chairman Fred Menzer, Consultant to Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, and incoming Chairman Jim Mattern, President, Trapper Mining Inc., thanked Sanderson for his leadership.  “He has served for a period of time thought to be longer than most other trade association executives currently employed in Colorado. Thus, we both worked to ensure that the Association could rely upon Stuart’s expertise and experience as we move forward under new management,” Menzer said. “We are pleased that he will remain a consultant to the CMA.”
 
CMA is an industry association, founded in 1876, whose more than 900 members include the producers of minerals throughout Colorado and the west, including vendors and service providers to the industry. The organization is also headquartered in Denver, an international mining center.


Contact: Stuart Sanderson
303-575-9199
[email protected]
Colorado Mining Association
216 16th Street, Suite 1250
Denver, CO 80202

Consumer Energy Alliance Launches Offshore Call to Action

In advance of the pending release of the Proposed 2017-2022 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program, CEA on February 26 launched a Call to Action urging supporters to sign a letter to Interior Sec. Jewell urging her to maintain the Mid- and South Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska in the Proposed Program. 

The Call to Action notes the benefits to consumers from access to domestic energy sources, including impacts on household budgets and jobs, economic activity, and public revenue.  The Call to Action also urges the Interior Department to promptly issue the approvals necessary for Atlantic seismic surveys to begin, and underscores support for expanding federal revenue-sharing to any state with oil and gas leasing in adjacent federal waters.  

Please take a moment to sign your name to the letter, and forward this link on to any friends and colleagues who might be interested in registering their support.

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University of Colorado Economic Study Shows the Oil and Gas Industry is Key to Colorado’s Economic Health and Stability

For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Doug Flanders
303-861-0362
[email protected]
 
Rachel George
[email protected]
  
New Study Shows Positive Impact of Oil and Gas to Every Coloradan
 
DENVER (December  29, 2015) – The oil and gas industry in 2014 pumped $31.7 billion into Colorado’s economy, according to a new economic study by the Business Research Division of the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder. The study, released today by the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), demonstrates the vital role the industry plays in the state’s economy.
 
Overall, the report found, the industry recorded $15.8 billion in production value, accounting for 38,650 direct jobs with average annual wages in excess of $105,000 —twice the average wage of all industries in Colorado. The total economic impact of the industry was $31.7 billion in 2014, supporting 102,700 jobs and $7.6 billion in compensation.
 
The report, Oil and Gas Industry Economic and Fiscal Contributions in Colorado by County, 2014, conducted by University of Colorado Boulder researchers Brian Lewandowski and Richard Wobbekind, found that in 2014 the oil and gas industry supported over 100,000 high paying workers and their families.
 
“The capital investments and industry production create jobs, income, wealth, and taxes, notably concentrated where production exists; however, as tax dollars flow into the state general fund and cash fund, the outflow of these dollars impacts every citizen in the state through investments in education, transportation, and others, “ the report stated.
 
Dan Haley, President and CEO of COGA said, “The industry’s overall tax bill represents approximately $600 of tax revenue per household in the state, and this does not include the industry’s corporate tax bill. Every Coloradan is positively impacted by this industry, no matter where you live.”
 
The report also details the significant amount of tax revenue generated by the oil and gas industry for school districts, as well as state and local governments that is well “beyond what other industries contribute. … Ad valorem taxes, for instance, are 3 times higher for oil and gas production than for commercial property within the state and 11 times higher than residential property.”
 
“Clearly, even as we work through this period of lower commodity prices, the oil and gas industry’s impact on Colorado’s economy is significant,” said Haley. “The industry continues to provide, and support, thousands of good paying jobs in all corners of the state. Governments across Colorado also depend on the oil and gas industry to pay for much-need public services. Without revenue from this industry, we would not be able to provide the necessary funding, or would have to further raise taxes, for public schools, roads, parks, and many other government services that Coloradans depend on.”
 
The study also found:


·       The oil and gas industry paid over $434.7 million in property taxes in 2014 and accounted for $156 million from the Colorado State Land Board School Trust distribution or 88 percent of the overall distribution of $178 million.

·       Severance tax revenue increased 92.9 percent from 2013 to 2014, generating $330 million in 2014 compared to $171 million in 2013.

·       In total, the oil and gas industry contributed over $1.1 billion in revenues to state and local governments, school districts, and special districts.

·       34 counties had oil production and 38 produced natural gas; 37 of Colorado’s 64 counties recorded taxable oil and gas property.

·       90 percent of Colorado’s taxable oil and gas property is in five counties: Weld, Garfield, La Plata, Rio Blanco and Montezuma.

·       Weld County produces 86 percent of the state’s oil and 25 percent of its natural gas.

·       Weld and Garfield alone accounted for 80 percent of drilling permits in 2014, with Weld having more than 66 percent of all active rigs in the state.

 
While Weld and Garfield Counties are the leaders in production, Denver, Weld, Mesa, Garfield, and Adams counties are the “center of employment for the industry,” accounting for 79 percent of the total direct jobs. Interestingly, the City and County of Denver had the most direct industry jobs in the state with nearly 13,000 paying over $161,000 dollars a year.
 
“This study clearly shows that cities and counties that either don’t have or have limited oil and production are reliant on our positive contributions to their community. When any new rules or regulations are being considered that impact oil and gas production, Weld and Garfield Counties’ voices must be heard,” Haley said. “We must avoid the domino effect of production in these two counties being negatively impacted and then the rest of the state’s employment and revenue declining as well.” 
 
This study used publicly available industry data to quantify the economic impacts of the industry in Colorado by county. The study examined the economic indicators and impacts to the county level, looking at employment, wages, and well activity to economic and fiscal impacts.
 
Go to the COGA website to see the full report on the 2014 oil and gas industries' economic and fiscal contributions in Colorado.
 
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