CO Renewable Energy Development Infrastructure (REDI)

In December of 2009, Gov. Bill Ritter released a new report mapping out how Colorado's electricity sector can reduce carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent over the next decade by significantly expanding investments in new high-voltage transmission and utility-scale renewable energy, increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and developing a greater role for natural gas.

The REDI report also calls for accelerated retirement of Colorado coal plants.

Cathy Proctor with the Denver Business Journal described the report:

A new report from the Governor's Energy Office says there is no way that Colorado's utilities can cut their carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 unless major investments are made and older coal-fired power plants shut down.

Called the "Renewable Energy Development Infrastructure" report (that's REDI, which sounds like "Ready"!), the report presents a slew of recommendations for achieving Colorado's goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants -- the largest source of greenhouse gases in the state -- 20% below 2005 levels by 2020.

The 100-page REDI Report, Connecting Colorado’s Renewable Resources to the Markets in a Carbon-Constrained Electricity Sector, is an analysis of the issues facing Colorado’s electric power sector as it strives to meet the goal of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020 from a 2005 base.

The REDI report addresses a variety of topics, including:

• Baseline information regarding Colorado’s generation and transmission infrastructure, with an emphasis on large-scale renewable energy generation.
• A history of Colorado’s electricity sector, including electric demand, planning, policy, and regulation.
• The roles that different combinations of supply-side resources, demand-side resources, and transmission can play to meet carbon dioxide reduction goals.
• A description of transmission economics, finance, regulatory, and market issues, particularly within a regional framework.
• Plans for expansion of Colorado’s high-voltage transmission system.
• The local, state, and federal roles in permitting and siting large renewable energy projects and transmission.
• The opportunities stemming from new Federal funding and policy initiatives.
• Options for further examination to increase the connection of Colorado’s utility-scale renewable resources to the grid