DISPATCHES FROM THE BLUE ZONES: Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission living an energy fantasy.
Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has done it again — proving when regulators get together, they can create a fantasyland so detached from reality it makes Disneyland look like a documentary.
The PUC just adopted a new rule ordering power utilities to slash greenhouse emissions 41% by 2035, a big jump from the legislature’s original “let’s try not to panic anyone” target of 22% by 2030. And they tied the whole package to Colorado’s statewide goal of eliminating greenhouse gases by 2050.
Eliminating — as in zero. As in, “Natural gas and coal, thanks for your service, appreciate you heating our homes and powering two-thirds of our electricity. Now pack your things.”
Back in 2021, lawmakers required utilities to file “clean heat plans.” The idea was simple: reduce emissions a little, tinker around the system, maybe switch a few customers to electric heat pumps. In politician-speak, this is called incremental change. In real life, it’s called fine, whatever.
But this is no longer a clean heat plan, instead it’s a Dear John letter to your furnace. You see, “eliminating greenhouse gases” means eliminating all coal and natural gas, and therefore most all our electricity too.
No plan survives first contact with reality — or with Gov. Polis’ Colorado Energy Office, which in July suggested the PUC (also appointed by Polis) raise the target to 41%. Utilities fought the idea. Consumer advocates fought it. Even the unions said, “Um, guys?”
The PUC responded, “Great feedback, everyone. We’re doing it anyway.”
My advice to my fellow Coloradans is: either buy lots of blankets or rent a U-Haul.
