PowerGab

XCel's attempt to shutdown one of its power plants has Pueblo residents up in arms. Why? For charging them to build a power plant and then trash it. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/no-just-transition-pueblo-county-asks-trump-to-keep-comanche-plants-open-indefinitely/ar-AA1LPc36

https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/05/pueblo-coal-power-just-transition-trump-letter/

https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/p/just-transition-or-just-disregard

https://i2i.org/the-coalition-of-ratepayers-case-study/

Is Colorado running out of water? Is it a natural issue or is there bad policy to blame? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with national conservation policy leader Greg Walcher.

Show Notes:

https://gregwalcher.com

https://i2i.org/where-life-is-written-in-water/

https://completecolorado.com/2025/08/04/everybody-knows-fix-for-colorado-river/

https://completecolorado.com/2025/07/17/tax-funded-colorado-river-studies-ignore-federal-mismanagement/

Expiring renewables subsidies have put the Colorado PUC into a frenzy to try and qualify and spend for new infrastructure. But will this hastiness work out, or are there additional considerations that will affect rate payers? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/18/colorado-xcel-data-center-demand-spending/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/28/xcel-enery-solar-wind-projects-tax-credits-colorado/

Colorado regulators' push to electrification has a cost, and it exceeds the 2.5% raise in rates... by a HUGE amount. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss what this will entail, how much it will likely end up costing, and if there's anything you can do to stop it.

Show Notes:

Colorado’s costly home heating plan

Xcel Energy Clean Heat Plan https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hearing-Exhibit-101-Attachment-JWI-1.pdf

Black Hills Clean Heat Plan https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Black-Hills-Clean-Heat-Plan-2024-2028-.pdf

Atmos Clean Heat Plan...

Does the EPA have the authority over one of Colorado's most reliable coal power plants, and whether or not it stays open? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

OBBB

https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/regulation/the-big-beautiful-bill-is-a-big-win-for-american-energy/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-market-distorting-subsidies-for-unreliable-foreign%E2%80%91controlled-energy-sources/

https://www.cpr.org/2025/07/03/congress-passes-trump-big-beautiful-bill/

EPA and CSU’s Ray Nixon coal-fired power plant

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/16/2025-13342/air-plan-partial-approval-and-partial-disapproval-colorado-regional-haze-plan-for-the-second

https://www.cpr.org/2025/07/16/epa-moves-to-reject-colorado-plan-to-close-coal-power-plants/

Xcel Energy's upcoming energy project has transmission lines that cut across Elbert County in Colorado. However, some local residents have not agreed to let them, causing a threat of eminent domain and a court battle. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke talk with Elbert County Environmental Alliance member Kerry Jiblits.

Show Notes:

https://www.ecealliance.org

https://www.denver7.com/follow-up/elbert-county-commissioners-deny-permits-for-xcel-energys-power-pole-project

https://www.elbertcounty-co.gov/615/Xcel-Energy---Colorados-Power-Pathway-Pr

Colorado has a long history with nuclear energy... some of it good and some of it not so good. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Veteran Nathan Stout about that history and how it impacts energy policy today.

Show Notes:

https://i2i.org/a-critical-look-at-nuclear-energy-in-colorado-overcoming-our-past-to-secure-our-future/

A declining Colorado economy is beginning to have consequences against many of its own climate goals. What's behind this and what tax credits are going away? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/19/colorado-green-tax-credits-cut-economic-forecast/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/25/colorado-clean-energy-project-cancellations/

Are green energy sources as economically friendly as they are being portrayed? Or are there other factors that make them not quite as green-friendly as marketed? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with Sarah Montalbano from the Center of the American Experiment.

Show Notes:

https://files.americanexperiment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Shattered-Green-Dreams.pdf?v=1750106281&_gl=1*1vf43vr*_gcl_au*OTY3ODE4MDQ2LjE3NTA4NzExMjI.

Colorado's clean energy goals are turning out to have a high price tag. Is there a point and when will the Public Utilities Commission fight for ratepayers' rights? PowerGab Hosts Jake Foglem and Amy Cooke discuss this topic and more with David Thielen of Liberal and Loving It.

Show Notes:

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com

https://coloradopuc24a0442e.substack.com/cp/165908249

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/my-comments-on-the-xcel-jts-proceeding

https://coloradopuc24a0442e.substack.com/cp/163935906

Regular listeners to PowerGab are encouraged to get a power generator. One listener not only took the advice, but they decided to make their own. Cory Gaines from the Colorado Accountability Project tells PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke just how he did it.

Show Notes:

https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com

Some Colorado News Publications have a particular framing on energy stories in the state. Is there a bias and what way does it lean? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with Cory Gaines from the Colorado Accountability Project.

Show Notes:

https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com

https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com/p/the-colorado-suns-disingenuous-reporting

https://www.cpr.org/2025/06/04/republican-budget-bill-utilities-energy-costs-impact/

Rogue surveillance devices have been discovered on Chinese made solar panels and batteries in the United States. Who is in control of your power? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this along with Xcel's new time of use rate proposal and tax dollars being funneled to partisan groups.

Show Notes:

https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/20/xcel-peak-use-electricity-rates-spike/

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rogue-communication-devices-found-on-chinese-made-solar-power-inverters/748242/

https://completecolorado.com/2025/04/30/environmental-ideologues-enjoying-the-colorado-taxpayer-dime/

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill has just passed Congress and is on its way to the Senate. This will gut renewable energy subsidies, but will that end up saving Coloradans on their energy bills? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/house-gop-budget-worse-than-feared-for-clean-energy-analysts/748862/

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/a-fraction-of-proposed-data-centers-will-get-built-utilities-are-wising-up/748214/

https://www.youtube.com/live/bPYJNOtLxJ8?si=qNiy6kywZAuMm4RP

The Colorado Supreme Court has just allowed Boulder's lawsuit against big oil to move forward. Does the lawsuit have any merit, does it stand a chance, and what does it mean for Colorado? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2025/05/15/erie-sets-course-for-zero-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2030/

https://www.chaffeecountytimes.com/news/trustees-debate-electric-preferred-building-code-amendment/article_0b28e7bf-dc9c-41ce-b57a-28bfb38a9f10.html

https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/12/colorado-supreme-court-allows-boulder-climate-lawsuit-suncor-exxon/

https://completecolorado.com/2025/02/09/colorado-high-court-climate-lawfare-case/

A Colorado Energy policymaker's Op Ed in a local newspaper touts a market driven approach for energy in the state. But is that even close to true? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke reveal another look at Colorado's Energy Policy as well discuss some legislation updates.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/24/jared-polis-plan-speed-up-colorado-emissions-reductions/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/18/opinion-colorado-engery-costs-leading-way/

Can renewable energy resources experience full grid blackouts? Spain relies heavily on renewable energy and just experienced a countrywide black out. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke interview Kenny Stein of the Institute of Energy Research and Mitch Rolling of Always On Energy Research to find out what happened and if there is a way to prevent it.

Show Notes:

https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kenny-Stein-Bio-24.pdf

https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/the-grid/what-caused-spain-and-portugals-massive-power-outage/

https://jkempenergy.com/2025/04/28/iberian-peninsula-hit-by-mass-blackout-and-attempts-black-start/

New executive orders challenge Colorado's renewable goals. How will these orders affect the state, does Colorado need to comply, and are the renewable goals that Colorado has even capable of handling the power needs? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/14/colorado-oil-and-gas-lawsuit-trump-order/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/15/coal-fired-power-craig-tri-state-xcel-trump-orders/

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-04/regulatory-relief-for-certain-stationary-annex-1.pdf

A new legislative bill in Colorado aims to incentivize data centers with money from the taxpayers. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this bill, its progress, and what it would mean for Coloradans.

Show Notes:

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_280_01.pdf

Colorado Media slanders providers that don't align with their viewpoints, and PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke call them out. They talk about their "pet peeves" in the power industry along with legislative measures that are suffocating Colorado's economy.

Show Notes:

A pet peeve: 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/therightaoc_home-liberty-energy-activity-7314317686220431363-gnSC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGSjcgBPL5m2zttfZr18-SF8P9Di3bhWi8

I can’t do business in Denver

https://denvergazette.com/news/denver-developers-commercial-real-estate-regulations/article_ea6d4d62-5400-455b-84cd-014241056fb8.htm...

A new energy legislation bill in Colorado threatens to move up the current mandates for renewables in the state. What's in the bill, will it actually pass, and is it even realistic? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/the-puc-feels-very-pro-forma-to-me

https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/03/CEP-Draft-3-25-25-STAKEHOLDERS84.pdf

https://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/03/Letter-re-2040-Late-Bill-Status-3.28.25-Final.pdf

Two of the largest utility companies in Colorado are publicly sounding the alarm of cost and reliability risks with renewables. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke interview Travas Deal, the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities to find out more.

Show Notes:

https://i2i.org/colorado-utilities-signal-pain-ahead-for-energy-transition/

https://www.csu.org/blog/ourenergytransition

https://gazette.com/news/colorado-springs-utilities-slowing-green-energy-project-goals/article_317f44ec-eee8-11ef-b113-238f450e3acf.html

https://coloradosun.com/2024/01/04/platte-river-power-authority-greenhouse-gas-reductions/

There are no shortages of goals for the future of energy. But what is realistic? Are the projections of renewable energy even attainable? PowerGab Host Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this topic and updates from the Colorado Legislature.

Show Notes:

-https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/17/lawmakers-approve-bill-to-classify-nuclear-power-clean-energy/

-https://coloradosun.com/2025/03/13/platte-river-power-authority-natural-gas-climate-change/

-https://www.aei.org/articles/welcome-to-the-era-of-energy-realism/

It's halfway through the 2025 legislative session in Colorado. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have been keeping tabs on the good, the bad, and the ugly energy legislation and they discuss the bills and their likeliness of becoming laws.

Show Notes:

-HB25-1040: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040

-HB25-1126: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1126

-HB25-1177: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1177

-HB25-1277: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1277

-HB25-1234: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1234

...

A new Independence Institute analysis shows that coal is no longer the king of Colorado's energy. What is the current breakdown of Colorado's energy sources and what is that costing? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://i2i.org/fast-facts-about-colorados-electricity-sector-in-2024/

https://i2i.org/fast-facts-about-electricity-in-colorado-in-2023/

The new Trump administration takes aim at downsizing government agencies like the EPA. How will this have an affect on Colorado's energy policy? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with President Trump's former EPA transition team leader Myron Ebell.

Show Notes:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/climate/trump-epa-layoffs.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/26/epa-endangerment-finding-trump-climate/

https://rogerpielkejr.substack.com/p/is-the-epa-endangerment-finding-endangered

Colorado gets one step closer to nuclear energy with a bill passing the committee house. However, some of the objections to the bill make it clear that there is a clear need for education about nuclear energy. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://i2i.org/is-2025-the-year-that-colorado-goes-nuclear-hopefully/

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040

Colorado's Public Utilities Commission is meant to be a bipartisan entity representing all Coloradans. But is it? A new legislative bill is proposed to help give more equal representation. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1126

https://www.dsireinsight.com/blog/2024/11/21/utility-commissioners-how-theyre-selected-what-they-do-and-how-they-impact-daily-life

https://i2i.org/wp-content/uploads/CoRP_Case_Study_v2_a.pdf

As Colorado considers nuclear energy as an option, what happens with the nuclear waste? Where would it go and how much would there be? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

Nuclear storage plans in Northwestern Colorado

https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/18/nuclear-waste-storage-colorado-rio-blanco-county-rangely/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/29/nuclear-waste-storage-hayden-routt-county/

Chris Wright Lays Out DOE Priorities

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-energy-baseload-generation-nuclear-transmission-wright/739412/

Are the energy problems facing Colorado a partisan issue? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with Dave Thielen from Liberal and Loving It to see if there is a political consensus on the problems facing Colorado's energy grid and what some possible solutions are.

Show Notes:

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/will-toor-executive-director-colorado

https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/is-wind-energy-cheaper-than-gas

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission Chair has just given a very grim forecast for where costs are going for utility bills. And, how do the new Trump Administration's executive orders affect what's ahead for Colorado? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss these topics.

For the 3rd year in a row, Colorado lawmakers have introduced new pro-nuclear legislation with bipartisan support. Will the 3rd time be the charm? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the bill and how that would affect Colorado.

Show Notes:

Link to the bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040

I2I’s testimony and coverage the last few times it was introduced

-https://i2i.org/energy-environmental-policy-centers-testimony-on-bill-to-classify-nuclear-as-clean-energy/

-https://i2i.org/colorado-lawmakers-to-consider-pro-nuclear-bill/

-https://gazette.com/opinion/guest-column-pure-partisanship-kills-nuclear-energy-bill/article_b53422c6-b132-11ed-b0ea...

A new year is under way and a new legislature is in session. What lessons will Colorado learn from its policies in 2024 and is it possible to save in 2025? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Xcel Energy customers are going to be paying more for heat pumps, whether or not they actually buy them. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss the legislature's "Fenberg Rider" and why utility prices are going up.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/12/18/electric-grid-xcel-energy-ev-heat-pump-solar-wind-natural-gas/

https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2024/05/06/cooke-xcel-energy-cash-cow-steve-fenberg-rider/

https://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC_LTRA_Infographic_2024.pdf

Colorado's decarbonization goals, along with regulations on gas and oil producers have cost the state some money. You may be surprised to find out how much. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a discussion with Liberty Energy's Ryan Zorn to analyze the costs.

Show Notes:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanzorn/

https://libertyenergy.com

https://rockymountainvoice.com/2024/06/zorn-colorados-passenger-rail-romance-vs-reality/

Colorado celebrates electric vehicle sales as first in the nation, but what does that mean, and are EVs having an effect on the climate? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke dive into the report and find out what is actually going on.

Show Notes:

https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/leading-nation-electric-vehicles-governor-polis-announces-colorado-has-become-1-nation-market

https://i2i.org/unpacking-colorados-electric-vehicle-triumphalism/

Is nuclear power an option in Colorado? What are the benefits and what are the risks? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke talk with Mark Hinaman of Fire to Fission and the Colorado Nuclear Alliance to get all the details.

Show Notes

Colorado's Governor announces a 10 year goal for the transportation in the state. What does it look like? Who will it benefit? And, how much will it actually cost? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://gazette.com/colorado_politics/colorado-transportation-vision/article_e7405daf-cedf-5607-849d-f57c86a3db31.html

https://www.9news.com/article/money/consumer/xcel-ev-rebate-program/73-b72bf9c0-6d7d-492d-ad02-a7d3aecae507

President-Elect Trump taps a Coloradan to lead the Department of Energy. Who is Chris Wright and what does his nomination mean for Colorado energy policy? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.

Show Notes:

https://libertyenergy.com/esg/bettering-human-lives/?mc_cid=ea430099a5&mc_eid=0dae6775a6

https://libertyenergy.com

Colorado's leading climate lawmaker resigns his senate seat in a less than forthright way, spurring doubt on the future of energy policy in the state. Plus, PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss President Elect Trump's EPA pick and recent Black Hills Energy news.

Show Notes:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/11/13/chris-hansen-colorado-legislature-resignation/

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/gas-generation-grid-reliability-spp-black-hills-naruc-pjm/732760/

https://www.spp.org/news-list/spp-board-approves-new-planning-reserve-margins-to-protect-against-high-winter-summer-use/