Come So Far, So Far To Go
Colorado Needs An Aggressive Road Map For Renewables
According to the Colorado Energy Office, our state produces more natural gas than all the energy it consumes in a year across the entire energy sector. Other facts from the states energy estimates are as follows:
• Colorado’s crude oil production has quadrupled since 2010.
• We are the fifth largest natural gas producing state.
• Colorado is the top coalbed methane-producing state, and has nearly one-fourth of U.S. economically recoverable coalbed methane reserves.
• More than half of Colorado’s electricity comes from coal-fired power plants. In 2017 annual coal production in the state increased for the first time in six years.
• Electricity from renewable sources has more than doubled since 2010, to almost 25 percent.
In last month’s Greater Park Hill News, state Sen. Angela Williams noted that she wanted to see Colorado begin the process of moving towards 100 percent renewable energy. Based on Colorado’s 2016 electricity generation, 55 percent came from coal and 23 percent from natural gas. Another 17 percent came from wind, 3.5 percent from hydro, and 1 percent from solar.
That means that more than 75 percent of electrical power came from global warming emitters! It also means the state has a considerable mountain to climb to reach the stated goals from Sen. Williams. I applaud her words to “begin the process of moving towards a 100 percent renewable future.” However, we need an aggressive road map supported by our legislature to get us there.
Natural gas is composed of methane, which is 30 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. In 2014, Colorado became one of the first states to limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations. However, with Colorado being the fifth-largest producer, the concern over releases of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is valid.
VOC’s, a component of natural gas, turn into ground-level ozone, the main contributor to smog. Even though Colorado has made strides in reducing gas leaks, the Trump Administration has been rolling back rules, which work to reduce leaks. Gov. Jared Polis is leading our state, with his proposed goal of 100 percent renewable electric generation by 2040 and a shorter-term goal of 80 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Previously Colorado’s renewable goal was 30 percent renewables by 2030. I agree with the governor that we cannot afford to wait to make this transition. This would be one of the most ambitious agendas in the country. Polis’ energy director, Will Toor, leads this initiative, which will include not only changes in our energy but also changes in transportation. In his first week in office the governor signed an executive order to have one million electric vehicles on our state roads by 2030.
Recently, the Climate Reality Project launched its County Climate Coalition, which encourages counties to make the commitment to uphold the Paris Accord. The coalition works toward results-oriented strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Denver has previously committed to a goal of 100 percent clean renewable electricity by 2030, and is committed to the tenets of the Paris Agreement. I am proud to say that the County of Denver will sign on to the County Climate Coalition.
When I sent a request for support to a few of our council members, Chris Lowell from Councilwoman Robin Kniech’s office was the first to respond. I appreciated Lowell’s enthusiasm and strong commitment in making Denver a leader on this issue. According to the County Climate Coalition, the commitment will drive counties to combat “climate change through renewable solar energy development, environmentally friendly vehicles, reduction of water usage, and other local solutions.”
The movement to a sustainable future is growing every day. But we have so much work in front of us to guarantee a livable planet.
As mentioned in past columns, I am asking that each of us make a personal commitment in 2019 to make one change each month to reduce our impact. Even small changes in our daily lives have a ripple effect.
Some changes can include a simple thank you to our elected officials (or their staff) when they have led initiatives to improve the climate or committed to simple lifestyle changes. My own February change was to commit to one full vegan-only day a week. It was harder than I thought.
As we head into spring, the planting season will be upon us. Let’s build our local food production within Park Hill and our community connections. Our individual changes help drive market changes, build better communities and help reduce our impact.
Finally, let’s continue our community conversation on how Park Hill will continue to be a leader in our city. Please share your ideas at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
Tracey MacDermott is chair of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Active in the Registered Neighborhood Organization for many years, MacDermott was the 2012 recipient of the Dr. J. Carlton Babbs Award for Community Service. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.