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PowerGab

Independence Institute

An Independence Institute production focusing on the unique energy challenges facing Colorado.

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S1 · E132
Tuesday · 31 min
Data Center Necessity
Weld County Commissioner Scott James joins PowerGab Host Amy Cooke to discuss a recent divided vote on a wind and solar facility and the need for data centers, as well as other topics. Show Notes: Chalk Bluffs: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/commissioners-approve-1-67b-energy-development-in-north-weld-county/ar-AA2cTTKq Data Center: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/northern-colorado/weld-county-commissioners-approve-proposed-41-acre-data-center Xcel and PUC have problems: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/26/xcel-power-outages-colorado/ Offer to Phil Weiser: https://x.com/TheRightAOC/status/2104340275447648478
S1 · E131
September 29 · 42 min
The Higher Power?
Colorado's oil and gas production has plummeted since democrats took over the state. What does that mean for your energy needs? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this topic and more with Director of Energy Additions of Liberty Energy, Ryan Zorn. Show Notes: https://energynewsbeat.co/crude-oil/colorado-oil-and-gas-wells-lag-even-with-high-oil-prices/ https://www.greeleytribune.com/2026/09/24/weld-chalk-bluffs-wind-solar/ https://www.postindependent.com/opinion/guest-column-legislators-sound-alarm-over-amendment-82/
S1 · E130
September 22 · 28 min
Natural Gas Scheme
Colorado's Clean Heat Plan has made the rules on natural gas very confusing for the customers. But, is that all part of the plan? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this topic with attorney James Conde to shed some light on the situation. Show Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/101I6SpbC7N_l7EatwsxN99ichmdfOKRk/view
S1 · E129
September 15 · 28 min
Intermittent Power Problems
Data centers may be controversial, but they have uncovered a glaring issue. When renewables aren't consistently delivering power, what can we turn to instead? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this topic with Isaac Orr from Always On Energy Research. Show Notes: US Gas Buildout Explorer: https://ebbcoder.github.io/U.S.-Gas-Buildout-Explorer/ https://energybadboys.substack.com/p/the-gray-new-deal https://x.com/TheFrackingGuy/status/2097506685250060575 https://www.facebook.com/TheRightAOC/posts/pfbid034EUN2tyKeouVZ5sV5bafPbQkSbz13swdZqe9c8DjDU1RQYR7BKUBzJb3Vj23dmywl?notif_id=1788963332532540&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif
S1 · E128
September 8 · 31 min
Fight for Your Right to Natural Gas
It's not illegal. It's naturally occurring. But it might become illegal unless you fight for it. PowerGab Host Amy Cooke has a discussion with The Denver Post Columnist Krista Kafer about Colorado's upcoming ballot measure for the right to natural gas. Show Notes: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/18/natural-gas-ballot-measure-colorado-vote/ https://kristakafer.substack.com/p/natural-gas-is-cheaper-and-more-efficient?r=1lqyva&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true https://www.legalnewsline.com/newsletter/denver-judge-affirms-city-s-ban-on-gas-appliances/article_767f2759-63e9-4446-92fc-2f131c8da4c0.html https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cod.235401/gov.uscourts.cod.235401.70.0.pdf https://leg.colorado.gov/initiative_files/1343/download https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GXg8T1NGy/
S1 · E127
September 1 · 26 min
Where is Colorado's Water?
Colorado's water seems to be missing. Where did it go? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this topic with the president of the Natural Resources Group, Greg Welcher. Show Notes: https://gregwalcher.com/about-the-author/ https://i2i.org/where-life-is-written-in-water/
S1 · E126
August 25 · 27 min
Net Zero = High Gas Prices
Gas prices have been up, yet oil barrel prices aren't. What's going on in the energy market to cause this? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this with special guest Stu Turley of the Energy News Beat Podcast. Show Notes: Substack: https://substack.com/@theenergynewsbeat Oil is low but gas prices are high: https://energynewsbeat.com/crude-oil-news/doomberg-and-the-new-oil-and-gas-markets-post-hormuz/ Stu Turley why Net Zero is failing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hbUffAUj3E Stu Turley on Twitter: https://x.com/STUARTTURLEY16
S1 · E125
August 18 · 26 min
Governor Weatherman
A recent interview with Colorado's Governor raises some questions about a power problem in southwest Colorado. PowerGab Host Amy Cooke brings on guest Sarah Montalbano to discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://liberalandlovingit.substack.com/p/interview-with-governor-jared-polis https://www.bluestateshighrates.com/ https://i2i.org/southwest-power-pool-narrowly-avoids-blackouts/ https://i2i.org/colorados-renewable-milestone-revisited/
S1 · E124
August 11 · 28 min
Is it an Energy Transition?
The rise of renewables has everyone talking about the energy transition that is occurring. But are coal, natural gas, and petroleum as energy sources on the decline? PowerGab Host Amy Cooke discusses this with special guest Doug Sandridge. Show Notes: https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/p/the-energy-transition-that-isnt
S1 · E123
August 5 · 30 min
Retired Power Plant Saves the Day
A recent heat wave caused a perfect storm for a Colorado community to lose power. However, an unlikely hero saved the day and kept power going. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more.
S1 · E122
July 28 · 24 min
Natural Gas Premium $1K/YR
The Clean Heat Plan is going to cost Colorado ratepayers a premium in order for Xcel Energy to hit its targets. How much and for how long? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://i2i.org/xcel-energy-to-whiff-its-clean-heat-plan-emissions-reductions-targets/ https://www.youtube.com/live/WhrEcFGGw2E?si=jMhCe5ejIkpRsdxh
S1 · E121
July 21 · 24 min
Are Renewables Colorado's Majority?
Renewable energy sources are now a large part of Colorado's power supply. Are they the majority? A recent report seems to think so. PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/08/qts-aurora-data-center-diesel-generators/ https://bigpivots.com/colorados-milestone-of-53-renewables/ https://i2i.org/colorados-renewables-milestone-looks-more-like-subtracting-coal-than-adding-wind-and-solar/
S1 · E120
July 14 · 27 min
Bad Policy Consequences
Recent data shows an alarming rise in the amount of subsidies for Xcel Energy customers. What caused this and is there more to come? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/07/xcel-utility-rates-increase-low-income-bill-support-plan/ https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/colorado-polis-ai-data-centers-energy-mix
S1 · E119
July 7 · 24 min
Public Utilities Circus
Colorado is once again facing power shortages. Why is this a continually recurring event? What is the reasoning behind it? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F0j4YBgLI4 (06:48 - 06:49) https://i2i.org/wp-content/uploads/SPGlobal_Export_6-10-2026_3f4b169a-32d9-4c97-b4a6-7c02c172b1df.pdf https://i2i.org/xcel-energy-wants-to-raise-rates-but-it-cant-even-deliver-reliable-electricity/
S1 · E118
June 30 · 22 min
Are Taxpayers Funding Boulder's Lawsuit?
Colorado's Attorney General has expressed skepticism of Suncor and Boulder's lawsuit against them. But is a recent comment during a public debate hinting that Colorado has been involved and taxpayers are footing the bill? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://completecolorado.com/2026/06/16/boulder-da-hints-weiser-involvement-climate-lawsuit/
S1 · E117
June 23 · 26 min
Constitutional Natural Gas
A citizen's initiative to give Coloradans the constitutional right to choose natural gas gains momentum with voters. Will the right to choose natural gas become protected in Colorado? PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this with the president of Advance Colorado, Michael Fields. Show Notes: https://leg.colorado.gov/initiative_files/1343/download https://www.advancecolorado.org/institute/natural-gas-clean-affordable-reliable-energy-for-colorado/ https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/12/colorado-democrats-abandon-effort-to-blunt-natural-gas-ballot-initiative/ https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/01/right-to-natural-gas-colorado-ballot-measure-environmentalists/
S1 · E116
June 16 · 22 min
Regulatory Taking
Natural Gas is under pressure from lawmakers as a means of heating your home. What are the lawsuits and do they stand a chance of succeeding? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://i2i.org/wp-content/uploads/SPGlobal_Export_5-29-2026_bd40a810-03b1-41b5-b927-774349149aec.pdf https://onbaseep22.mesacounty.us/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/DownloadFileBytes/AGNC%20Amicus%20Curiae%20Suncor%20v%20Boulder%20County.pdf?documentType=1&meetingId=1918&itemId=66274&publishId=40253&isSection=False&isAttachment=True
S1 · E115
June 9 · 27 min
Biggest Rate Hike Ever
The P.U.C. considers Xcel Energy's biggest ever rate hike request. Are Colorado rate payers stuck with this? What is causing it? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this and more. Show Notes: https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/04/xcel-energy-electric-rate-increase-colorado/
S1 · E114
June 2 · 31 min
Climate Lawsuit Strategy
Another lawsuit from climate activists against big oil seems all too familiar. What is the endgame? Do these lawsuits warrant their effort and cost? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss another reason climate lawfare happens with the executive director of the Prime Mover Institute Russ Greene. Show Notes: https://manhattan.institute/article/amicus-brief-suncor-energy-v-county-commissioners-of-boulder-county-2 https://ijr.com/exclusive-colorado-faces-new-challenge-in-bid-to-set-climate-policy-for-entire-country/
S1 · E113
May 26 · 26 min
Data Centers Avoid Colorado
Colorado companies are deciding not to build data centers in Colorado. Is the reason because of energy rates, public sentiment, or something else? PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss this topic with Sarah Montalbano, Energy Analyst at Always On Energy Research. Show Notes: https://news.gallup.com/poll/709772/americans-oppose-data-centers-area.aspx https://www.denvergazette.com/2026/05/19/denver-halts-new-data-centers-for-12-months/

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