Press Coverage

March 2023

• What Coloradans are Saying About the Historic Housing Plan that Will Create More Affordable Housing Options
  State Of Colorado - March 22, 2023
  “Colorado is grappling with two major crises: housing affordability and climate change. Building more homes in our communities, near transit and jobs, and reining in sprawling development on Colorado’s natural and agricultural lands will help solve both challenges. These smart growth policies are essential for lowering housing costs, cutting traffic and transportation pollution, and protecting Colorado’s great outdoors,” said Elise Jones, Executive Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
• Some Coloradans could save big on electric vehicles
  Denver Herald - March 21, 2023
  State officials are putting finishing touches on an electric vehicle rebate for income-qualified buyers willing to trade in an older gas-fueled vehicle, adding up to $6,000 in price cuts on a new vehicle to a menu of credits that can already include $5,500 from utilities or up to $7,500 from federal sources.
• There's hope for the Hopi, and every other home in Arizona
  Arizona Daily Sun - March 15, 2023
  Heat pumps are being installed in the homes of the Hopi people.
• How some Coloradans could shave up to $19,000 off a new electric vehicle later this year
  The Colorado Sun - March 10, 2023
  A state credit for income-qualified new and used EV buyers to trade in older gas cars will add up to $6,000 to existing lucrative discounts to push electrification.
• Everything you need to know about heat pumps
  Yahoo! News - March 7, 2023
  Heat pumps are gaining popularity in the United States.
• Everything you need to know about heat pumps
  The Week - March 7, 2023
  Heat pumps are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.
• Why heat pumps are suddenly so popular
  Knowledia - March 7, 2023
  Sales of these energy efficient heating and cooling appliances surpassed those for gas furnaces in 2022.

February 2023

• Could Colorado override local zoning codes to allow more density? It’s ‘part of the conversation’ as a major land use bill takes shape
  Colorado Public Radio - February 16, 2023
  “We've been developing policy concepts around smart growth housing and zoning reform for the 2023 legislative session and shared that input with the governor's policy team,” said Matt Frommer, senior transportation associate with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
• Xcel’s $32 Million Natural Gas Line Coming to West Colfax, Sloan’s Lake
  The Denver North Star - February 15, 2023
  The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently approved a controversial proposal by Xcel Energy to revitalize natural gas pipelines in the west Denver metro area.
• Cheap and green: Heat pumps take hold around the world
  NBC News - February 14, 2023
  “After maybe buying an electric vehicle or taking the bus more often or carpooling to reduce their travel-related emissions, maybe people hear about heat pumps, which is the next-biggest-impact thing they can do personally — installing a heat pump and reducing their emissions from heating their home,” said Neil Kowley, a building electrification specialist at the public-interest organization Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “And hopefully they save a little money on their heating bill at the same time.”
• Gas stoves or electric? Controversy surfaces at Colorado state Capitol
  The Gazette - February 13, 2023
  Whether to use a gas stove or an electric one took center stage in the state House on Monday morning.
• Heaters, fireplaces and fluorescent bulbs among targets of Colorado efficiency bill
  The Denver Post - February 9, 2023
  Retailers would no longer be allowed to sell less-efficient ovens, water heaters, gas fireplaces, and certain other appliances under a measure proposed this month by Colorado lawmaker.
• A Review of Hydroponics and Conventional Agriculture Based on Energy and Water Consumption, Environmental Impact, and Land Use
  MDPI - February 8, 2023
  Conventional agriculture involves high inputs of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and chemical drugs, which pollute the soil and cause severe risks to human health and the environment. In contrast to conventional agriculture, hydroponics can increase production without the extensive disposal of chemicals into the environment. The nutrient solutions used in hydroponics mainly contain soluble inorganic salts.
• Colorado’s ‘Greenhouse Gas Planning Standard’ Changes the Transportation Equation
  TransitCenter - February 3, 2023
  Thanks to Colorado's groundbreaking new greenhouse gas planning standard, the state will fund BRT corridors throughout Denver instead of expanding a highway
• Without an energy office, will Arizona get its full share of the Inflation Reduction Act?
  AZ Central - February 1, 2023
  SWEEP is trying to step into the gap by helping consumers understand what they need to do to access IRA incentives.
• Electrification On the Rise in the Southwest U.S.
  Green Builder - February 1, 2023
  With 2023 off to a flying start, this new year is an opportunity for the building industry to act on the benefits of heat pump technology for space and water heating in cold climates–especially in the affordable multifamily housing market.

January 2023

• How can Colorado consumers make the climate change transition? Thoughtfully.
  The Colorado Sun - January 31, 2023
  The transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy is so complex that ethical dilemmas work their way into every corner of American consumer life, even the musty corners of the average garage.
• Heat pumps are having a moment in Colorado, but do they really work in the bitter cold? Yes.
  The Colorado Sun - January 26, 2023
  Developed in 1857, tech improvements are making heat pumps a viable element in the contemporary transition to cleaner, more energy efficient homes.
• How Coloradans can find home electrification rebates and save big
  The Colorado Sun - January 26, 2023
  We sorted through new and tantalizing layers of federal, state, Xcel and local credits for buying clean heat pumps, water heaters and more.
• SWEEP sets February 16th heat pump webinar
  Ark Valley Voice - January 25, 2023
  In this free webinar, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) will highlight the key points to consider in electrifying both new and existing homes — for homeowners, new home buyers, and HVAC contractors, as well as utilities, local governments, and new home builders.
• Net-zero federal lab set to open in Colorado in 2026 thanks to Inflation Reduction Act
  The Colorado Sun - January 24, 2023
  A new, all-electric Food and Drug Administration lab will be funded through $79 million from the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Boulder to consider ban on gas hookups this year
  KUNC Colorado - January 24, 2023
  New research, published in December, found rates of childhood asthma were higher in homes with gas stoves. The peer-reviewed study was another piece of evidence indicating the dangers of gas and its effects on the climate and human health. Responding to the science, local governments across the country have accelerated their efforts to wean off gas. Already, nearly 70 cities in California alone have adopted gas bans or electrification ordinances since 2019. But Colorado has largely been absent from this conversation.
• Kill growth caps, environmental and housing advocates tells Polis
  Colorado Springs Gazette - January 24, 2023
  Environmental and housing advocates tell Colorado Governor Jared Polis to kill growth caps.
• Commissioners’ decision in Southwest Gas rate case a win for Arizona consumers, competitiveness
  Arizona Chamber Business News - January 24, 2023
  The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is making waves.
• Net-zero federal lab set to open in Colorado in 2026 thanks to Inflation Reduction Act
  The Journal - January 24, 2023
  A new, all-electric Food and Drug Administration lab will be funded through $79 million from the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Kill growth caps, environmental and housing advocates tells Polis
  Colorado Politics - January 24, 2023
  Environmental and housing advocates tell Gov. Polis to kill growth caps.
• Governor Polis says legislative focus is state's housing needs, education, safety
  Ark Valley Voice - January 19, 2023
  In his 2023 “State of the State” address this past Tuesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis made a point of laying out bold goals for his second term, challenging us to envision what we want Colorado to look like at the end of his term and when the state turns 150 years old; coming up in 2026.
• Boulder to consider ban on gas hookups in new buildings this year
  Boulder Reporting Lab - January 17, 2023
  The City of Lafayette, meanwhile, is expected to approve its own gas ban ordinance in the first quarter of 2023, the mayor said. Momentum is growing among local governments to accelerate efforts to get off the fossil fuel.
• Ignoring gas planning means utility customers lose
  Arizona Capitol Times - January 17, 2023
  Unfortunately, in its first open meeting in the new year, the Arizona Corporation Commission failed to require Southwest Gas to conduct a basic utility future infrastructure and investment planning exercise after approving the company’s second rate increase in less than three years.
• What They’re Saying About Governor Polis’s State of the State Address
  Colorado Governor's Office - January 17, 2023
  "Colorado is grappling with dual climate and housing affordability crises, and we look forward to partnering with Governor Polis and the state legislature to develop solutions that tackle both challenges by focusing on housing and job growth in the right places. The benefits of smart growth and compact development are immense, including more affordable housing types closer to jobs and transit, reduced climate and air pollution, more walkable and transit-friendly neighborhoods, less driving, and better protection for open spaces and water supplies,” said Elise Jones, Executive Director of Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
• Arizona regulators approve slimmer Southwest Gas rate increase
  Tucson.com - January 11, 2023
  Speakers representing several nonprofit advocacy groups opposed the increase and supported a proposal by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) to require Southwest Gas to prepare gas infrastructure investment plans for review by regulators before making major system investments. SWEEP says the reviews are needed to avoid unnecessary costs as individual gas usage is falling and the trend is growing to replace gas appliances with electric models that nowadays can be more economical and powered with non-polluting renewable resources.
• AZ Corporation Commission adopts judge’s recommendations in natural gas rate case
  Arizona Chamber Business News - January 11, 2023
  SWEEP led opposition to the Southwest Gas case, saying expanded electrification offers consumers cheaper alternatives and that the company already has modern infrastructure that requires few upgrades.
• Here are all the new EV and e-bike tax credits heading Colorado’s way
  The Colorado Sun - January 6, 2023
  Denver relaunches popular e-bike vouchers and Polis proposes major new car-buying credits to promote clean electrification.
• Southwest gas bills may get more expensive under rate hike proposal
  Tucson.com - January 5, 2023
  Not good news for Arizona utility customers.
• Salt Lake City mulls major change to electric vehicle infrastructure policy
  KSL.com - January 3, 2023
  Utah's capital city is preparing for massive fuel infrastructure changes as more drivers turn to electric vehicles.