Denver Gazette’s Lisa Schlichtman reports on Colorado Energy Office Director Will Toor’s championing of the state’s wind-solar-battery “zero carbon” electricity pathway—a plan projected to cost over $61 billion, making it the priciest of seven options in a recent state-commissioned report.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Pricey pipe dream: Toor’s preferred wind-solar-battery scenario rings up at a staggering $61 billion—far above alternatives like nuclear, natural gas, or hybrid mixes.
- Seven sins of cost: The state’s analysis stacked seven pathways—from cheapest (natural gas combined cycle) to Toor’s champion—in order of escalating expense.
- Emissions vs. expense: While the zero-carbon route slashes CO₂, it demands a wallet-busting investment at odds with Colorado’s affordability crisis.
- Natural gas neglected: Cleaner-burning natural gas in Weld County appears as a middle-cost, low-carbon winner, yet Toor’s vision sidelines it for the pricier renewables-only showcase.
- Market mechanics: Critics argue free-market dynamics—letting cost-effective solutions like gas and nuclear compete—would deliver emissions cuts without bankrupting ratepayers.
My Bottomline
Will Toor and Governor Polis have turned Colorado’s energy policy into a zero-emission fantasy land that only pays off for environmental headline-writers. While wind and solar deserve a seat at the table, dissing abundant, clean-burning natural gas in Weld County is like refusing to buy a perfectly good Chevy because you’re obsessed with Teslas. The result? Sky-high costs shoved onto families already drowning in housing and utility bills.
If we truly want emissions reductions, let the free market pick the winners. Open the competition to gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewables alike—then watch carbon drop without vaporizing wallets. Because living in Will’s World means coasting downhill on taxpayer cash, and everyone else ends up paying the price.
