http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-experts-testify-on-global-warming After surviving a three-hour floor debate in the house, where some legislators questioned global warming as a fact, House Bill 1164 was supported by world experts in a hearing before the Senate Local Government committee. These experts testified on the importance of cutting the state's global warming http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-experts-testify-on-global-warming Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:45:35 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/mining-exploration-kept-top-secret http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/mining-exploration-kept-top-secret Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:02:46 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/ritter-introduces-critical-plan-to-slash-co2-emissions Yesterday, Governor Ritter released his Climate Change Action Plan (see the plan) that calls for an overall reduction in Colorado’s global warming pollution 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. As a part of the Governor’s plan, Colorado would place stronger standards on new vehicles sold in Colorado, standards that 12 other states, including California are now set to implement. The article in today’s Rocky (see article) covering Governor Ritter’s announcement gives substantial attention to the propaganda now being spouted by the Colorado Auto Dealers Association. The Association would like consumers to believe a Clean Cars program would be bad for Colorado by reducing their choice and costing them money. This argument is misleading and not supported by research. Stronger standards would not eliminate or limit the availability of trucks and SUVs, it would merely provide greater availability of vehicles that get more to the gallon. With current gas prices and a future of rising energy costs, ensuring the availability of more fuel economy in our vehicles is providing a protection for Colorado consumers and stands to save them hundreds of millions of dollars per year. And let us not forget that if it had not been for legislatively mandated standards, our vehicles may never have had seatbelts or catalytic converters – successful vehicle improvements that have saved lives and limited air pollution. Over the coming months, there is no doubt the Colorado Auto Dealers Association will continue their attempt at scaring and ultimately deceiving Coloradans. Luckily, the citizens of Colorado have found a friend in the Governor and other organizations that are working to provide greater choice to consumers and address the growing problem of global warming. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/ritter-introduces-critical-plan-to-slash-co2-emissions Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:52:16 -0600 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/fight-global-warming-invest-in-clean-energy-event If we can put a man on the moon we can beat Global Warming. Congressman Jay Inslee and Bracken Hendricks recently wrote a book that outlines a critical strategy in overcoming Global Warming. They are speaking at the Tattered Cover this weekend so check it out. Please Join Authors Cong Jay Inslee & Bracken Hendricks for Discussion of their book "Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy" Saturday Oct 27 in Denver 2 p.m. Tattered Cover Book Store/ Lodo. 1628 16th Street at Wynkoop Talk, reading and book signing. Sunday Oct 28 in Boulder 4p.m. Boulder Book Store.1107 Pearl St, Boulder, CO. Talk, reading and book signing. They will also be on KGNU NPR Duncan Campbell program on Sunday, Oct 28 at 12:30 pm and KGNU NPR Monday, Oct 29 at 8:30 a.m. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/fight-global-warming-invest-in-clean-energy-event Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:21:40 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-utility-denied-air-permit-for-1400-megawatt-coal-plant http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-utility-denied-air-permit-for-1400-megawatt-coal-plant Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:32:15 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/al-gore-wins-nobel-peace-prize Environment Colorado congratulates former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on receiving this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. We also thank them for their years of work and public education about the dangers presented by Global Warming. Now is the time to act of their message. The best science tell us that we have to cut emissions to at least 1990 levels by 2020 and slash emissions by 80 percent by 2050. The good news is that we know what to do, and there several early action steps that the state can take now that will put us on the path to meet these goals. You can read the press release about this report at http://www.environmentcolorado.org/news-releases/global-warming/global-warming-news/groups-support-science-based-climate-protection-policies-for-2008 In their most recent report the IPCC (http://www.ipcc.ch/) established that human caused carbon emissions are responsible for Global Warming. Vice President Gore’s award-winning film An Inconvenient Truth focused attention on the problem. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/al-gore-wins-nobel-peace-prize Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:08:23 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/climate-panel-sets-a-goal The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization's Climate Panel set a goal for reducing Global Warming Pollution by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. While this did not go as far as many of us wanted in the 2020 time frame it is a step forward. Global warming is a problem that will hurt the health of our economy, our children, and our environment. As Coloradoans we’re fortunate to live in a state teeming with opportunity, abundant in natural, renewable resources, and rich in entrepreneurial spirit. Addressing global warming will be a long-term undertaking but we can and we must begin action as soon as possible. Set science-based targets to reduce global warming emissions: 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% reductions by 2050. Increase our renewable energy standard, a standard we have already up’d once. In our effort to address global warming, we must capitalize on Colorado’s natural and renewable resources. Ensure that no new combustion coal-fired powerplants are built. Increase the energy efficiency of our homes, our buildings, and our businesses. The more efficient we are, the less energy we must produce from dirty sources. Increase the efficiency and fuel economy of our cars and further the market penetration of hybrid vehicles. These are all steps that are feasible and will bring a whole host of benefits for our health our national security, our environment, and our economy. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/climate-panel-sets-a-goal Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:59:34 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/why-we-care-about-new-coal-plants There are two critical aspects of dealing with Global Warming if we are to stabilize carbon emissions. The first is to begin to get us on the road to the New Energy Future. That involves doing the research on clean technologies, creating markets and developing the infrastructure for the new energy economy. The second is to stop investing in and subsidizing the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide. At Environment Colorado we put a lot of time in stopping new combustion coal plants. Below is an advertisement that appeared in the New Yorker Magazine that highlights why: GLOBAL WARMING Think You’re Making a Difference? Think Again. There are 151 new conventional coal-fired power plants in various stages of development in the US today. HOME DEPOT Home Depot is funding the planting of 300,000 trees in cities across the US to help absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions... The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized (500 MW) coal-fired power plant, in just 10 days of operation, will negate this entire effort. WAL-MART Wal-Mart is investing a half billion dollars to reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of their existing buildings by 20% over the next seven years. If every Wal-Mart Supercenter met this target… The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized coal-fired power plant, in just one month of operation each year, would negate this entire effort. CALIFORNIA California passed legislation to cut CO2 emissions in new cars by 25% and in SUVs by 18%, starting in 2009. If every car and SUV sold in California in 2009 met this standard… The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized coal-fired power plant, in just eight months of operation each year, would negate this entire effort. EVERY HOUSEHOLD If every household in the US changed a 60-watt incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent… The CO2 emissions from just two medium-sized coal-fired power plants each year would negate this entire effort. EDUCATION The Campus Climate Challenge calls for all college campuses in the US to reduce their CO2 emissions to zero. If every college campus building in the US met this challenge… The CO2 emissions from just four medium-sized coal-fired power plants each year would negate this entire effort. NY, ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, PA, NJ, DL, MD The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cooperative effort by 11 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce their CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2014... The CO2 emissions from just 13 medium-sized coal-fired power plants each year will negate this entire effort. CONGRESS Congress is considering many climate change bills this year to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions... The CO2 emissions from any new coal-fired power plants work to negate these efforts. THERE IS A ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR SOLVING GLOBAL WARMING… ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NO MORE COAL Without coal, all the positive efforts underway can make a difference. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Over an 11-year period (1973–1983), the US built approx. 30 billion square feet of new buildings, added approx. 35 million new vehicles and increased real GDP by one trillion dollars while decreasing its energy consumption and CO2 emissions. We don’t need coal, we have what we need: efficient design and proven technologies. Today, buildings use 76% of all the energy produced at coal plants. By implementing The 2030 Challenge* to reduce building energy use by a minimum of 50%, we negate the need for new coal plants. Make a Difference: Protect Your Efforts. * Issued by:  2030, Inc./Architecture 2030 • The 2030 Research Center • www.architecture2030.org NOTES 1. Emissions Source: US Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2005. 2. Building Sector Data Source: 2006 Building Energy Databook, EIA. 3. 1 Quad (quadrillion Btu) = approx. 60.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMT CO2). 4. One medium-sized (500 MW) conventional coal-fired plant emits approx. 3.2 to 4.0 MMT CO2 a year. 5. One billion square feet of existing building area in the US is responsible for approx. 7.68 MMT CO2/yr. 6. Home Depot: Home Depot has funded the planting of 300,000 trees in cities across the US. Each tree will absorb and store approx. one-third of a ton of CO2 over its lifetime. 7. Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart, the largest “private” purchaser of electricity in the world is investing half a billion dollars to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their existing buildings by 20% over the next 7 years. "As one of the largest companies in the world, with an expanding global presence, environmental problems are our problems," said CEO Lee Scott. a. Total US building area for all Wal-Mart Supercenters: 437,019,000 square feet (sf). b. Total US building area for all Wal-Mart stores: 630,494,000 square feet (sf). 8. Every Household: a. There are 110 million households in the US today. b. Changing one 60-watt incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent saves approx. 156.6 pounds of CO2 each year. 9. Education: a. The Campus Climate Challenge, a growing student movement in the US, states that global warming “is our problem, and it’s up to us to solve it, starting right here on campus, right now.” b. Assumption: 3.5 billion sf of existing college campus building in the US. 10. California: a. California, which makes up over 10% of the country’s new vehicle market, passed legislation to cut GHG emissions in new cars by 25% and in SUVs by 18%, starting in 2009. b. A 25% reduction of emissions in cars and 18% in SUV’s sold in California in 2009 is approx. 2.3 MMT CO2. 11. ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, PA, NJ, DL, MD: The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a ‘cap and trade’ cooperative effort by eleven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2014. a. Carbon dioxide emissions in 1990 equal 842.04 MMT CO2. b. Carbon Dioxide emissions in 2003 equal 889.42 MMT CO2. 12. Real GDP (Year 2000 dollars) in 1973 was $4.341 trillion and in 1983, $5.423 trillion. (Source: Economic History Services) 13. Number of vehicles in operation in 1973 was 111.217 million and in 1983, 147.104 million. (Source: US Energy Information Administration) 14. From 1973 to 1983 approx. 19.7 billion square feet (bsf) of residential building and 13.3 bsf of commercial building were built. (Source: US Census, EIA) 15. Total US energy consumption in 1973 was 75.7 quadrillion btu (Qbtu) and in 1983, 73.0 Qbtu. (Source: EIA) 16. Total US CO2 emissions in 1973 was 4685 million metric tons (MMT) and in 1983, 4331 MMT. (Source: EIA) Subscribe to free E-News Help us spread this important news by sending this E-News Bulletin to a colleague or friend. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/why-we-care-about-new-coal-plants Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:00:16 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/whats-the-matter-in-kansas What do Truman Capote, the Governor of Kansas, and Loretta Lynn have in common? Holcomb Kansas, that is the answer, but why should an Environment Colorado member care? Let me tell you a little more. The small town of Holcomb Kansas, which is just 60 miles from the Colorado border, has recently become the epicenter of the Global Warming debate. Holcomb, which was immortalized by the 1950's Truman Capote book, 'In Cold Blood,' is now facing the same kind of attention from all corners of the globe. Tri-State Generation and Transmission of Westminster along with Sunflower Electric of Kansas (and others) are hoping to build one of the largest coal burning power facilities west of the Mississippi just outside of Holcomb. Here is the irony, only about 15% of the power produced at this facility would go to serve customers in Kansas, yet they will have to deal with most of the pollutants this dirty coal plant would emit. Currently the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is deliberating the air-permit for this facility, which if they approve would allow the Holcomb facility to emit: 1,600 lbs of Mercury, 8,543 Tons of Sulfur Dioxide, and 12,000 Tons of Carbon Monoxide. The draft air permit does not even address Carbon Dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, but if approved the facility would emit 10 million tons of CO2. The good news is that the Governor of Kansas is getting an ear full from Health Advocates, Environmentalist, and the Media. Including this satirical video set to the tune of the Loretta Lynn song “Coal Miners Daughter” from the Wichita Eagle Editorial Staff: Governor Sebeilus can and should stop this coal plant by either rejecting the Air Permit or calling on a “time-out” on coal. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/whats-the-matter-in-kansas Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:01:03 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/some-surprising-tips-on-reducing-global-warming Today I googled "global warming tips" to find a list of simple ways that each of us can help reduce our global warming pollution. I found a lot of things that most of us already know about...replacing light bulbs, carpooling, turning down the thermostat, etc. But I wanted to share with you a couple of tips that I found that I hadn't heard before. 1. Keep your tires inflated properly. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by 3%...and every gallon of gas you save keeps 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. 2. If you purchase a flat screen TV, get an LCD model as opposed to a plasma screen. The LCD's cost less and conserve electricity. In fact, over the course of a year, the electricity required to operate a plasma TV will output 500 more pounds of CO2 than an LCD TV. 3. Don't put your refrigerator or freezer near cookers or boilers. When your refrigerator is in a warm place, it has to work much harder to cool, sucking up almost double the amount of energy. 4. Email Governor Ritter and ask him to make Colorado a leader in stopping global warming. Click here to send your email: http://environmentcolorado.org/action/global-warming/goals?id4=ES 5. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors that we need to act now on global warming; click here to pass this list along! http://environmentcolorado.org/action/global-warming/tell-friends2 I hope these tips will be helpful to you in reducing your own global warming pollution, as well as in speaking out for immediate action against global warming in Colorado. Thanks for your support. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/some-surprising-tips-on-reducing-global-warming Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:34:25 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/cant-stand-the-heat Yesterday the Denver Metro area topped out at 99 degrees setting an all time record. While any particularly hot day may have nothing to do with Global Warming, the planet is getting warmer and that is affecting our weather. Colorado can be a leader in the efforts to combat Global Warming by promoting the New Energy Economy. According to a recent poll by Public Opinion Strategy the public overwhelmingly believes that combating global warming can have benefits that go beyond Global Warming. They also want to see the state take action on Global Warming. Please let Governor Ritter know you support Colorado taking a lead on policies to increase renewable energy, promote higher fuel standards and put controls on new coal plants to reduce global warming pollution. http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/cant-stand-the-heat Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:13:43 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/oil-and-gas-income-study---not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/oil-and-gas-income-study---not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:22:07 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/who-pays-for-sprawl http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/who-pays-for-sprawl Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:39:05 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/expanding-the-denver-growth-area http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/expanding-the-denver-growth-area Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:59:44 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/why-is-the-state-land-board-increasing-our-transportation-costs http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/why-is-the-state-land-board-increasing-our-transportation-costs Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:26:34 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/solar-hot-water http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/solar-hot-water Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:25:55 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/live-earth-in-boulder-and-denver http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/live-earth-in-boulder-and-denver Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:25:02 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-needs-a-new-impact-fee-on-oil-and-gas http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-needs-a-new-impact-fee-on-oil-and-gas Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:24:08 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/clean-cars-are-safe-cars http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/clean-cars-are-safe-cars Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:23:37 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/denver-areas-counties-seek-to-bust-the-growth-boundary http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/denver-areas-counties-seek-to-bust-the-growth-boundary Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:23:02 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/should-drcog-permit-more-sprawl http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/should-drcog-permit-more-sprawl Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:22:22 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-should-join-the-western-climate-initiative2 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/colorado-should-join-the-western-climate-initiative2 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:21:34 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/legislative-leadership-testifies-for-clean-cars-and-states-rights2 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/legislative-leadership-testifies-for-clean-cars-and-states-rights2 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:20:57 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/auto-industry-tries-to-deep-six-fuel-efficiency-standards2 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/auto-industry-tries-to-deep-six-fuel-efficiency-standards2 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:20:08 -0500 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/denvers-greenprint-and-the-rocky-mountain-news2 http://www.environmentcolorado.org/blog/home/denvers-greenprint-and-the-rocky-mountain-news2 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:19:28 -0500