In 2018, Colorado stepped up against climate change
The health and well-being afforded to us by living in Colorado, along with our ability to enjoy the outdoors – key parts of the Colorado way of life – are at risk. At least that should be the takeaway from the Fourth National Climate Assessment released last month by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, a coordinated federal effort created to analyze how the environment affects people living in the United States. If we fail to act, researchers found everything from Colorado’s water, ecosystems, health, and economy will all face drastic, negative consequences in the not-too-distant future. Now is the time for us to act. If the Colorado we know today is truly worth protecting now and for future generations, what can we do to change the future?
While Colorado voters acted more than a decade ago to address the importance of becoming less reliant on fossil fuels, the private sector has lagged in setting plans for bold action. That changed in December when Xcel Energy, one of Colorado’s largest utilities, took a stand for a cleaner energy future. Xcel announced their trailblazing goal of delivering 100 percent carbon-free electricity to Colorado customers by 2050, becoming the first major utility company in the country to do so. As part of their clean energy goals, Xcel also plans to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 in Colorado and the seven other states in which they operate. Illustrating that combating climate change isn’t just a challenge for Xcel but for all of Colorado, other local utility companies, including Holy Cross Energy and Platte River Power Authority, have sets similar targets. These goals set the stage for Colorado to be a leader fighting against climate change.
100 percent carbon-free electricity is a goal many skeptics say is unfeasible – and with current technology, it’s probably not – but Xcel set this goal knowing the potential for new technology developments. It’s also important to remember the 100 percent carbon free electricity goal is different from 100 percent renewable energy, meaning Xcel is likely to pursue the development of a process of collecting and storing carbon, known as carbon capture. In the end, it will take a combination of new technologies, renewable sources like wind and solar, storage capacity, and even policy changes to make this goal a reality.
Incoming Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who joined Xcel company officials at the announcement, pointed out a different benefit of eliminating carbon-emissions from electricity generation. “It’s not only about carbon; it’s also about cleaner air, which means people are healthier,” Polis said to those in attendance. Cleaner air and healthier people mean economic benefits to Colorado families and the state. Previous research from the Colorado Fiscal Institute estimated the economic value of health costs avoided as a result of better air quality based on the emissions reduction goals set in Colorado Energy Plan which will reduce Xcel’s carbon emissions 60 percent by 2030. Xcel’s new goals will also provide reduced emissions, meaning cleaner air, healthier people, and the economic benefits of fewer missed work days and fewer trips to the hospital for respiratory issues.
For Colorado, the outdoors is a huge part of what make Colorado a great place to live, work, and play. While Xcel’s goal takes a stand conserving and protecting Colorado now and for generations to come, it only reaches one portion of Colorado’s economy. In order to truly be leaders in fighting climate change, lawmakers and public policy experts need to do more. But in taking this step, Xcel has taken big steps towards a future with beautiful mountains, snow to ski on, and beer to drink. Colorado can be hot chocolate with the whipped cream too.
