PowerGab

Xcel recently shut off power for thousands of customers. Why did they do this and how could it have been avoided? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:ShutdownWildfire matters review committee bill that wasn’t approved.https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/bill_5_26-0104.02.pdfIt prohibits punitive damages if certain conditions are met.Wildfire Matters Review Committee letter https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/signed_wildfire_letter_8-26_0.pdfhttps://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/science-environment/xcel-energy-wind-power-shutoff?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-sues-xcel-panhandle-fires/808421https://enewspaper.denverpost.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=9a387107-a430-4bf2-8856-d519e4143cad&share=trueGuest editorialhttps://enewspaper.denverpost.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=9a387107-a430-4bf2-8856-d519e4143cad&share=trueGas Appliance warning labelhttps://coloradosun.com/2025/12/19/colorado-gas-stove-warning-law-halted/Win a Predator GeneratorBecause the grid could use a backup plan.Yes, we’re giving away a Predator Generator.No, this is not a drill.Yes, it’s because reliability apparently isn’t fashionable anymore.How to EnterStarting with the first show of 2026, drop a funny, clever, or pithy comment in the show’s comment section.That’s it. No forms. No fine print to initial. No ESG questionnaire.We’ll be collecting comments throughout the 2026 legislative session, so you’ll have ample time to workshop your sarcasm.After each show, we’ll pick our favorite comment.Full transparency: we’re the hosts, we pick the favorites, and it is 100% subjective.If you’re looking for a neutral referee, this is not that contest.At the end of the session, we’ll select our top 3–5 favorite comments.Final VoteThen you vote on the winner.Democracy still works here. Mostly.Winner announced on the last show in May 2026.The (Very Small) Legal Stuff

The Public Utilities Commission has a new proposed rule that would have them focusing less on energy and more on social justice. What changes would that bring? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:Independence Institute Commentshttps://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/I2I-PUC-comments-Dec-2025.pdfPUC DEI Rulemakinghttps://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/C25-0792A_25R-0468ALL-1-1.pdfhttps://www.aoenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/C25-0792_25R-0468ALL-1-1.pdfHow to Participate in a PUC Proceedinghttps://puc.colorado.gov/participateWin a Predator GeneratorBecause the grid could use a backup plan.Yes, we’re giving away a Predator Generator.No, this is not a drill.Yes, it’s because reliability apparently isn’t fashionable anymore.How to EnterStarting with the first show of 2026, drop a funny, clever, or pithy comment in the show’s comment section.That’s it. No forms. No fine print to initial. No ESG questionnaire.We’ll be collecting comments throughout the 2026 legislative session, so you’ll have ample time to workshop your sarcasm.After each show, we’ll pick our favorite comment.Full transparency: we’re the hosts, we pick the favorites, and it is 100% subjective.If you’re looking for a neutral referee, this is not that contest.At the end of the session, we’ll select our top 3–5 favorite comments.Final VoteThen you vote on the winner.Democracy still works here. Mostly.Winner announced on the last show in May 2026.The (Very Small) Legal StuffNo purchase necessary.Void where prohibited, regulated, or over-engineered.No cash value and not transferable.Must pick up at the Independence Institute office, 727 E 16th Ave, Denver, CO 80203One generator will be awarded. Actual runtime may vary depending on weather, policy decisions, and common sense.This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or approved by any utility, regulator, or energy modeler who thinks batteries replace physics.By entering, you agree we may read, share, or lovingly mock your comment on the show.One comment.One generator.Because when the grid wobbles, satire won’t keep your lights on — but a Predator Generator will.

Democratic lawmakers are pulling back on their aggressive renewables legislation after seeing the cost and feasibility. However, Colorado seems to be going in a different direction. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:NYT Matt Yglesias op-ed “Liberals should support America’s oil and gas industry.”https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/opinion/democrats-liberals-oil-gas-industry.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9k8.4iZ5.sUEK-sxdmZRe&smid=url-shareIf Dem energy and climate policies are so cheap, why are they retreating from them? https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/5649880-energy-affordability-midterm-focus/Blue States, High Rateshttps://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Blue-States-High-Rates.pdf

Data center panic is back in Colorado. Can Colorado make the power needs of data centers attractive enough to actually commit to moving and staying here? Is there a simple solution? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/12/10/data-center-power-demands-colorado-xcel-tri-state/https://www.advocates4cre.org/

The Sierra Club has commissioned a study about the Ray Nixon Power Plant in Colorado Springs that concludes renewables are less expensive, but is the study accurate? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke dive in and find out.Show Notes:https://bigpivots.com/does-delaying-nixon-retirement-make-sense/https://www.sierraclub.org/colorado/colorado-springs-utilityhttps://coloradosun.com/2025/12/08/coal-study-colorado-springs-utilities-consumer-costs/

The Public Utilities Commission plans to phase out natural gas use for home heating to meet emissions goals, but is this realistic and how would it be possible? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:Decision on keeping Comanche 2 openhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIfpLJrh4DAhttps://puc.colorado.gov/press-release/fact-sheet-comanche-power-plant-unit-2-retirement-extensionhttps://coloradosun.com/2025/12/04/comanche-2-coal-burning-pueblo-xcel-energy/Clean Heat Planhttps://i2i.org/puc-establishes-new-clean-heat-targets-designed-to-crack-down-on-natural-gas/https://coloradosun.com/2025/12/02/colorado-natural-gas-emissions-caps-xcel/

Energy Co-Ops may list a variety of places that they get their power from, but how does that work and what arrives to the customers? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/20/colorado-coal-power-comanche-extension/https://bigpivots.com/bryan-hannegan-the-bigger-leagues/https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/17/united-power-electricity-suppliers-wind-solar-battery-energy/

What happens to renewables at the end of their useful life and who is responsible for getting ride of them? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this topic with Executive Director of the Council to Modernize Governance Curtis Schube.Show Notes:Who Pays When Wind Turbines and Solar Panels Wear Out? A Hidden Energy Liabilityhttps://energyanalytics.org/hidden-energy-liability/

Colorado's planned replacement of coal power plants with renewables leaves a shortfall in energy, but an increase in costs to ratepayers to make that switch. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with Independence Institute intern and Master's Student Ethan Cornell.Show Notes:Xcel, PUC staff, CEO, and UCA petition to delay Comanche 2 retirement until December 31, 2026,https://i2i.org/wp-content/uploads/Comanche-Unit-2-Variance-Petition.pdfSettlement for Comanche 1, 2, and 3.https://www.scribd.com/document/357548188/Comanche-1-2-and-3-settlementColorado Sun article https://coloradosun.com/2022/03/15/comanche-3-xcel-coal-powerUtility Dive Xcel petitions to keep Comanche 2 openhttps://www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-colorado-comanche-2-coal-plant/805250https://i2i.org/the-big-shortfall-colorados-upcoming-power-plant-closures-and-planned-replacements/

Will Colorado's plan on how to reform the Public Utilities Commission fairly represent Coloradans? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:PUC Sunset Review: https://coprrr.colorado.gov/sites/coprrr/files/documents/2025SunsetPublicUtilitiesCommission.pdfComanche 3 shutdown: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/29/colorado-comanche-3-power-plant-issues-troubles/Coalition of Ratepayers case study: https://i2i.org/the-coalition-of-ratepayers-case-study/

Growing opposition to new renewables infrastructure has raised some concern with their transparency. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:Site survey: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vzyKJvaFjljacKHg-Okm9x7Jnvz_YWyD/view?pli=1Mitch and Isaac - declining value of wind and solar.https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2025/10/23/the_more_wind_and_solar_we_add_the_less_they_deliver_1142829.htmlCO Sun article: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/20/solar-siting-colorado-energy-office-housing-governor/

One of the lawyers behind Boulder's climate lawsuit admits the plan is to make your energy more expensive. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:PUC commissioners meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWe0AL0bdUQBlack Hills surveyhttps://www.blackhillsenergy.com/fuel-future/colorado-perspectives-electrificationBoulder’s climate lawsuit is a backdoor carbon tax, FedSoc panelhttps://fedsoc.org/events/can-state-courts-set-global-climate-policy

Advances in nuclear energy over the years have lead to a new popularity with states once again adopting it. But will Colorado be able to get over its storied past with nuclear? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://daily.gazette.com/article/281479282621643https://www.denverpost.com/2025/10/13/colorado-nuclear-power-energy/

Colorado's forced electrification mandates are heating up... but are the new performance standards just a fancy way of saying it's a natural gas ban? And will it save or cost money, and to who? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/10/colo-officials-ask-court-to-toss-fresh-challenge-to-building-emission-rules-93650434https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/53215946/Colorado_Apartment_Association_et_al_v_Ryan_et_alhttps://tsscolorado.com/building-owners-face-choice-make-upgrades-to-cut-emissions-or-fight-state-law/

In a continuing saga, Xcel Energy has asked the court to throw out public hearings so they can take land from residents in Elbert and surrounding counties. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this, along with the Trump administration opening up public land in Colorado for oil and gas development.Show Notes: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/02/xcel-energy-power-pathways-elbert-el-paso/https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/12/blm-oil-and-gas-leases/

A new study shows that Colorado's future energy plan is going to be unreliable, inadequate, and expensive. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:Hydrogen study: https://i2i.org/colorados-green-hydrogen-boondoggle/Colorado Energy Compact: https://mailchi.mp/0f77622fbb40/colorado-energy-compact-release?fbclid=IwY2xjawNCeoVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmdE5DT3ZGM3paZE1QcG1ZAR74InhX9BPPp7JZ1Eu76_Xa-VyDsxyja1QHVuakQQs_N52airkpDiWpR0BbwA_aem_RAezGzR9i9TpfmRE_49bVw

What are the so-called stakeholders at the public utility commission saying about the Polis' Administration's plan to force electrification through rule making? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.Show Notes:https://i2i.org/independence-institute-tells-the-public-utilities-commission-to-reconsider-forced-electrification-rulemaking/https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-170/374416/20250911135659317_Suncor%20cert-stage.pdf

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-AA1LPc36https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/05/pueblo-coal-power-just-transition-trump-letter/https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/p/just-transition-or-just-disregardhttps://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.comhttps://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/