News on Climate Action, page 2

Note: We are in the process of rearranging the following older news items by categories. Check back soon, you'll find this more user-friendly.

An August 2008 poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research in six interior western states showed that westerners are about evenly split on whether climate change is real or not. (We at RMCO found this discouraging, but it also renews our sense of the importance of the work we have yet to do!)

On the other hand, even if many are doubtful that climate change is real, most westerners understand that taking action to address it is good, not bad, for the economy.

Note the sharp difference in views depending on party affiliation (shown in aggregate numbers for all six states. (This is why RMCO works hard to maintain a bipartisan or nonpartisan orientation in all that we do!)

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In June, Americans drove 4.7% fewer miles than in June 2007.  In the first half of 2008, miles driven are down 2.8% compared to the first half of 2007. The 12-month moving average of miles driven has been declining this year for the first time ever, and has now declined to the level of four years ago. See charts and data in the Federal Highway Administration’s latest Traffic Volume Report.

Sprawl bill is heading to Governor Schwarzenegger, New York Times, August 31, 2008. The California legislature passes the nation’s most comprehensive effort to reduce sprawl by tying billions of dollars in state and federal transportation subsidies to cities’ and counties’ compliance with new emissions reduction goals that encourage higher-density and transit-oriented development.

Public Service Company of New Mexico scrambles to find new power sources, Santa Fe New Mexican, August 30, 2008. The company proposes to avoid building new coal powerplants by promoting energy efficiency and distributed generation incentives.

Idaho has the wind, but lacks the will to harness it for electricity, Boise Weekly, August 20, 2008. While Idaho ranks 13 th among states in wind energy generation potential, lack of transmission line capacity and a renewable portfolio standard squelches development.

Wind powers new Wyoming-Colorado transmission line, Casper Star-Tribune, August 27, 2008. The new Wyoming-Colorado Intertie, due to come on line in 2013, is located to take advantage of good wind energy sites in eastern Wyoming and Colorado, confirmed by two wind generation companies winning the auction of 2/3 of its capacity.

Xcel Energy burnishes its reputation for being a clean energy leader in the utility industry by:

• Proposing a two-year demand side management plan that would cut the need for 120 megawatts of new power and reduce natural gas use equivalent to the amount needed to heat about 4,500 homes. Xcel plans green switch, Denver Post, August 14, 2008.
• Getting approval to shut down two coal-fired power plants to reduce C0 2 emissions – the first such step in the nation. Xcel takes unusual step to shut down coal power plants, Denver Business Journal, August 18, 2008.
• Becoming the first utility to reach a settlement agreement with the state of New York to disclose to shareholders and others the financial and other risks of its emissions of heat-trapping gases. Xcel to disclose global warming risks, New York Times, August 28, 2008.
• Playing a key role in Colorado’s shift to clean, renewable energy. Renewable power's growth in Colorado presages national debate, Washington Post, August 17, 2008.

Pueblo picked for wind turbine tower factory, Rocky Mountain News, August 26, 2008 and Vestas to build two plants near Brighton, Denver Post, August 15, 2008. Vestas announces plans to build three new plants in Colorado and employ 1,800 workers to build wind turbine towers, blades, and generator housings.

Seattle plans to double energy savings, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 20, 2008. The city unveils a $185 million plan to double the city's energy conservation over five years, saving customers an estimated $310 million.