Press Coverage

December 2018

• Electric vehicles would have huge benefits in Arizona
  Arizona PBS - December 6, 2018
  A new study on electric vehicles forecasts huge benefits in Arizona with more electric vehicles on our roads. The independent analysis finds that if one million electric vehicles were to be registered in Arizona by 2050, we’d see an economic benefit of up to $3.7 billion statewide. The savings come in the form of direct fuel and maintenance savings, and also in health benefits from lower greenhouse gas emissions. We hear about the study from Jeff Schlegel of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, which promotes energy efficiency and clean transportation in six southwestern states.
• Group Buy Programs Have Helped Sell Over 3,000 EVs
  Greentechnica - December 2, 2018
  A report on EV group buying programs was recently developed by Matt Frommer, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project’s Transportation Program Senior Associate, in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office and Refuel Colorado. He also had assistance from Will Toor and Mike Salisbury. The report provides history, background, and other details for EV group buy programs in the US. For example, it says there have been over 40 programs in 20 states in the last several years. It also states that dealership sales have been boosted up to 10 times the monthly average by some EV group buy programs. Mr. Frommer answered some questions about group buying for CleanTechnica.

November 2018

• Colorado funding $10 million in new electric-vehicle charging stations
  Denver Business Journal - November 29, 2018
  Colorado will pay to install electric-vehicle charging stations at 33 sites along six major highway corridors — a $10.33 million move that seeks to lessen the “range anxiety” that electric-vehicle proponents believe serves as a barrier to more people buying and using such types of cars... The new stations are expected to fully operational by 2020, according to the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, which advised the state on spending the VW settlement on both creating these stations and on cleaning buses and diesel equipment.
• Colorado adopts California auto emissions standards
  Colorado Politics - November 16, 2018
  Colorado has adopted vehicle emission rules that incorporate California standards, joining several other states in moving pre-emptively to avoid any weakening of federal standards by the Trump administration. But the Boulder-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) applauded the move, saying it will save motorists an average of $2,800 in fuel costs during an auto’s lifetime. “By adopting California’s LEV standards, Colorado continues on the bold path forward toward greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and avoids the risk of backsliding with the proposed federal rollbacks,” said Howard Geller, executive director of SWEEP.
• Boulder County promises transition to electric government vehicle fleet
  Boulder Daily Camera - November 14, 2018
  Boulder County commissioners on Tuesday morning pledged to the eventual electrification of county government's entire fleet of vehicles. Former Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor, SWEEP's transportation program director, presented information to the commissioners about the GoEV program. "Electric vehicles are starting to take off in Colorado, which has the fifth highest electric vehicle market share in the country. But, in order to achieve clean air in the Front Range, and meet state goals for reducing dangerous greenhouse gas pollution, we need to turbocharge the adoption of electric vehicles," Toor said in a statement after Tuesday's meeting. "We hope that Boulder County's bold step forward to be the state's first GoEV county will inspire many other cities and counties to join in," Toor said.
• Clean Energy Advocates Hail Outcome of Nevada Energy-Related Ballot Measures
  This Is Reno web news - November 7, 2018
  Today, four clean energy advocacy groups, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, Western Resource Advocates, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club, lauded the results of two energy-related measures on the Nevada ballot. Howard Geller, SWEEP’s executive director, issued the following statement related to Question 3: “The defeat of Question 3 will facilitate the continuation of NV Energy’s energy efficiency programs, which have helped households and businesses cut their utility bills by hundreds of millions of dollars.”
• Lower Rocky Mountain Power efficiency targets put trade-off with renewables into focus
  Utility Dive - November 6, 2018
  National trade publication reports on why SWEEP and partner group Utah Clean Energy have criticized RMP's decision to lower investment in efficiency programs in Utah.
• Denver Approves Landmark Green Building Policy
  Code Watcher - November 5, 2018
  Denver’s City Council unanimously has approved a new Green Building Policy for large buildings, in a move cheered by business groups and environmental advocates alike. “This new policy is something that Denver can be proud of,” says Christine Brinker, Senior Associate for Buildings Efficiency for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). “We took what was a contentious, complex, and potentially unworkable policy and crafted a solution that all sides agree is better.” The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) played a key role in helping craft the new ordinance and in finding common ground among many interest groups. Brinker was a member of the city-led Green Roofs Review Task Force, which recommended the new approach to City Council.
• Q&A with Howard Geller | Toward a less wasteful energy economy
  Colorado Politics - November 5, 2018
  Howard Geller has been advancing a low-key but influential agenda: Whatever the sources of the energy we produce, we must consume less. It'll save us money, resources and maybe even our planet.

October 2018

• Ballot Question Asks Voters For RFTA Property Tax
  Aspen Public Radio - October 15, 2018
  This fall, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will ask voters for a tax increase to expand its bus service in Ptikin and Garfield Counties, CO. An independent study by The Southwest Energy Efficiency project estimates the economic impacts of RFTA exceed $80 million by providing rides for workers and visiting skiers alike.
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY DAY
  KTVN Ch. 2 News Reno, NV - October 8, 2018
  Reno and Carson City, NV, celebrated national Energy Efficiency Day 2018, with Channel 2 featuring photo of SWEEP's Tom Polikalas with city council members after the proclamation.
• The City of Reno highlights benefits of energy efficiency at 'Energy Efficient Day'
  KRXI- Channel 11 Reno, NV - October 8, 2018
  The City of Reno highlights benefits of energy efficiency at 'Energy Efficient Day,' with this Fox News affiliate featuring pictures of SWEEP's Tom Polikalas at the city council's proclamation ceremony.
• Carson City plugs into National Energy Efficiency Day this Friday
  Carson Now - October 5, 2018
  “Carson City is providing a tremendously important leadership role in advancing the cost savings, economic development, resource conservation benefits derived through more energy efficient products, programs, and practices,” said Tom Polikalas, SWEEP’s Nevada representative. “We look forward to continuing to work with Carson City and other stakeholders in accelerating the transition to a more energy efficient economy, thereby brightening the future of the City, State of Nevada, and nation.”
• The City of Reno highlights benefits of energy efficiency at 'Energy Efficient Day'
  KRNV Channel 4 Reno - October 5, 2018
  The City of Reno held the 'Energy Efficient Day' a third time to recognize the benefits of energy efficiency on October 5. Reno's leadership on the issue was praised by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), a public-interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency and clean transportation in Nevada and five other neighboring states.

September 2018

• Question mark Giants battle, but the public is still puzzled about Question 3
  Las Vegas Review Journal - September 28, 2018
  Puzzled by NV ballot question 3 on Energy Choice? Read the in-depth story by Dennis Meyers in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, including a quote from SWEEP's Tom Polikalas. Not only does the public now have serious doubts about the measure, but those doubts appear to be growing. Suffolk University surveys commissioned by the Reno Gazette Journal showed 45 percent of voters in July planning to vote against the question, 51 percent by September.
• In Colorado, two rural co-ops are leading the charge on electric vehicles
  Energy News Network - September 19, 2018
  As Colorado seeks to encourage adoption of electric vehicles, two rural cooperatives are charging ahead where other utilities have so far hung back. A study by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project found that driving an EV using Xcel Energy’s power currently provides the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions of a 55 mpg car. By 2026, when the two Comanche plants are closed, the equivalence will rise to 88 to 90 mpg cars. “By the end of 2019, there should be five major corridors across the state with fast chargers every 30 to 50 miles, and the work of Holy Cross very much complements that,” says Will Toor, transportation program director for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, an advocacy group. “A year from now we will basically have a fast-charging network to access every major destination in the state.”
• ZERO ENERGY HOMES WORKSHOP
  KTVN Ch. 2 News Reno, NV - September 17, 2018
  Nevadans can build homes that are comfortable and can save them money over many years, experts say during a Zero Energy Home training event in Reno. SWEEP worked with the U.S. DOE in organizing the event and presenting the information to builders, developers, and interested consumers.
• The GoEV Campaign: Calling Your City To Join In!
  Green Technica online - September 17, 2018
  Oftentimes, we’d really like to be advocates for justice issues, but it’s tough to start from scratch. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) has created the GoEV Policy Toolkit, which offers a process approach and lots of sample documents that can help you and your municipality take a holistic approach to transportation electrification. Start by making the commitment, then adopt the GoEV Resolution, draft an EV Action Plan, and engage in local, state, and federal EV advocacy efforts. Here’s how, step-by-step.
• RFTA’s economic benefits top $67M
  Aspen Daily News - September 11, 2018
  The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority generates economic benefits of between $67 million and $88 million annually in Pitkin and Garfield counties, according to a study released last week by a Boulder nonprofit that advocates for energy efficiency and clean transportation. The organization, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, or SWEEP, received no money from the regional transit system to conduct the study, RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship said Monday. RFTA is seeking voter approval this fall for a 2.65-mill property tax throughout its service region.

August 2018

• Four Colorado transit agencies win grants for electric buses
  KMGH - Channel 7 Denver Channel - August 29, 2018
  Several transit agencies across the West and Southwest — including Colorado — will soon have electric buses. On Aug. 24, the U.S. Federal Transit Agency (FTA) announced its 2018 Low- and No-Emission bus grants, according to the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).
• The Power of Group Buying Electric Vehicles
  EV World - August 10, 2018
  How would you like to own a brand new electric car for less than half its original sticker price? That’s what Matt Frommer and the folks at SWEEP, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, have been making possible over the last three years in six US southwestern states. By brining together stakeholders like Xcel Energy, a major power provider and Nissan, along with both state and federal incentives, group participants have been able to buy 2017 LEAF all-electric cars for less than $10,000.
• Trump MPG Rollback Will Hurt Consumers, Critics Say
  KUER - August 3, 2018
  Public radio station KUER in Salt Lake City, UT, quotes SWEEP statistics about how much the rollback in car fuel efficiency standards could cost consumers, and interviews our partner group Utah Clean Energy. The average fuel economy for light-duty cars and trucks in 2017 was 25.2 miles per gallon, according to the Colorado-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). Stricter CAFE standards would have meant vehicles would be burning less fuel and less of the pollution blamed for climate change. SWEEP estimates that Utahns will use an additional 2.5 billion gallons of fuel because of the rollback. Residents will also spend more than $3,000 on average buying that gas and diesel. “Not everyone’s going to pay that much more,” said Josh Craft from UCE. “But [for] the average customer, it’s going to go up a fair amount.”

July 2018

• SWEEP Report: Group Buys Can Dramatically Lower Cost Of Electric Vehicles
  Forbes - July 30, 2018
  Group purchases of electric vehicles have been happening for years, and a new report from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) shows that these local, limited discount programs can be a tremendous way to purchase a new EV. Written by Matt Frommer, SWEEP's transportation program senior associate, the report is a series of case studies about EV group buys and a handbook for others who might want to organize their own
• Pro-renewable Energy Groups Come Out in Opposition to Energy Choice Ballot Question
  Nevada Independent - July 26, 2018
  Four pro-clean energy organizations announced Thursday that they plan to oppose the Energy Choice Initiative on the 2018 ballot, citing potential uncertainty that passage of the measure could create for large-scale renewable energy development in Nevada. The four organizations — the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Western Resource Advocates — said they planned to oppose the ballot question, which would amend Nevada’s Constitution by changing its current electric market structure to an open, competitive market by 2023.
• Denver Mayor Michael Hancock rolls out Climate Action Plan
  Colorado Politics - July 18, 2018
  Denver Mayor Michael Hancock talked about it in his State of the City address Monday, and on Tuesday he unveiled Denver’s 80×50 Climate Action Plan to move the city to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project served on the 80×50 task force and advocate for “strong energy efficiency and transportation electrification goals,” the Boulder-based organization said in an email to its supporters Tuesday. “The plan sets bold goals for energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation,” SWEEP stated. “The transportation goals include 40 percent of all cars in the city being electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030 and 100 percent of cars, buses, taxis and rideshare vehicles electric by 2050. The plan also calls for the city to adopt EV-friendly building codes, provide EV charging at all city buildings, and commits the city to advocate for state policy changes including adoption of clean-car and zero-emission vehicle standards, as well as for expanded opportunities for utilities to support electric vehicle adoption.” Will Toor, director of transportation programs, at SWEEP added Tuesday afternoon, “Mayor Hancock has laid out a bold vision for transitioning transportation from fossil fuels to a city where nearly all vehicles are powered by renewable electricity. There is a lot of work needed to achieve this vision, and we look forward to working with the city on EV-friendly building codes, public charging stations, partnering with Xcel Energy to expand charging access, and working with RTD to transition from diesel to electric buses.”

June 2018

• Colorado regulators raise Xcel's energy-efficiency target by 25 percent
  Colorado Springs Gazette - June 20, 2018
  The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has raised the energy-efficiency bar for Xcel Energy Inc. even as Colorado's biggest power utility sought to hold it steady. Howard Geller, executive director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project or SWEEP, said that Xcel has consistently tried to keep the targets low and voiced concern that easiest and cheapest efficiency gains have been made. "There are still plenty of opportunities for energy savings," Geller said. For example, there are gains in high-efficiency LED lighting, not only in homes, but schools, business, and streetlights, he said. These bulbs offer energy savings of 50 to 70 percent. The use of heat pumps in residential appliances, such as hot water heaters and clothes dryers, is another emerging energy-saving area, Geller said. The pumps capture and recycle heat.
• Hickenlooper's plan for low-emissions-vehicle standards draws backlash, praise
  Denver Business Journal - June 20, 2018
  Gov. John Hickenlooper has drawn some strong reactions to his executive order Tuesday requiring the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to draw up rules increasing emission standards in order to increase the percentage of cars on the road that are low-emissions vehicles. “The adoption of light-duty fuel economy standards by the federal government is one of the largest single steps ever taken to advance energy efficiency. The Trump Administration is moving to dramatically weaken these standards, despite an extensive record that shows that federal clean car rules not only protect public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create jobs and save consumers thousands of dollars per household. SWEEP strongly supports Governor Hickenlooper’s move to adopt clean car standards which will protect consumers and clean air in Colorado, and we encourage other states across the region and the nation to adopt these standards.”— Howard Geller, executive director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
• Maine finds marijuana growers too risky for energy efficiency grants
  Utility Dive - June 19, 2018
  SWEEP's cannabis energy use study gets quoted in longer story about Maine's controversial decision to not allow marijuana growers to apply for energy efficiency grants. "A 2017 study from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project calculated that the state's indoor growing operations could reduce 32% of its energy use through efficiency best practices regarding lighting, cooling and dehumidification in facilities."
• Colo. to adopt low emissions vehicle standards under Hickenlooper’s latest executive order
  Colorado Springs Gazette - June 19, 2018
  Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an executive order Tuesday committing the state to the adoption of low emission vehicle (LEV) standards in an effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 26 percent by 2025. Howard Geller, executive director of the Boulder-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, called the decision historic. “The adoption of light-duty fuel economy standards by the federal government is one of the largest single steps ever taken to advance energy efficiency,” he said in a statement. “The Trump administration is moving to dramatically weaken these standards, despite an extensive record that shows that federal clean car rules not only protect public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create jobs and save consumers thousands of dollars per household. “SWEEP strongly supports Governor Hickenlooper’s move to adopt clean car standards which will protect consumers and clean air in Colorado, and we encourage other states across the region and the nation to adopt these standards.”
• 2009 Called. It Wants Its Energy Code Back
  Insulation Institute online - June 15, 2018
  The Insulation Institute spoke with Southwest Energy Efficiency Project’s (SWEEP) Christine Brinker about why energy conservation code adoption lags in many states and how builders can benefit as their states take up newer versions of the IECC. The energy code fundamentally improves the durability of buildings as well as the health and safety of us humans inside. It’s not just a “nice to have,” Brinker added.
• Nevada electric utility seeks to partner with 6 solar firms
  Reno Gazette Journal - June 1, 2018
  Nevada’s main electric utility said Thursday that if voters reject a statewide energy choice constitutional amendment in November, it plans to partner with six solar power development firms to buy enough power from projects to be built around the state to supply more than 600,000 homes. Officials with the advocacy groups the Interwest Energy Alliance, Vote Solar and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project issued a statement hailing the NV Energy proposal as a step toward clean energy efficiency and cost savings for families and businesses.

May 2018

• Traffic on westbound I-70 past Floyd Hill.Colorado Department of Transportation Conservatives: Even If Our Transportation Ballot Initiative Loses in November, We Still Win
  Westword - May 22, 2018
  Colorado hasn't increased its 22-cent gas tax, which funds state highway projects, since 1993, which is projected to create a $9 billion shortfall over the next decade, according to state transportation officials. "I can't predict the results of the election, but I think we're going to work hard to get the word out to folks that the responsible way to fix our transportation problem is by bringing new money to the table," says Will Toor, transportation program director for the regional nonprofit advocacy organization Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.
• You Can’t Buy New Crosstrek PHEV Unless You Live in These 10 US States
  Torque News - May 21, 2018
  Subaru’s all-new 2019 Crosstrek plug-in-hybrid is coming later this year, but the fuel-stingy model will only be sold in 10 U.S. states. Will Toor, the transportation program director for SWEEP, said "Despite the fact that Colorado has some of the strongest consumer demand for electric vehicles, most car manufacturers don't sell all their electric models here. States that have adopted zero emission standard get up to three times as many models.”
• Colorado to miss out on Subaru EVs for lack of a law
  Colorado Springs Gazette - May 16, 2018
  Subaru plans to offer its first plug-in hybrid powertrain on its Crosstrek -- but won't sell the cars in Colorado. SWEEP's Will Toor explains what Colorado must do to encourage Subaru and other car makers to offer electric vehicles in our state. ""Despite the fact that Colorado has some of the strongest consumer demand for electric vehicles, most car manufacturers don't sell all their electric models here," Toor said. "States that have adopted zero emission standard get up to three times as many models. The new plug-in hybrid Subaru Crosstrek is a great example. What could suit the Colorado lifestyle more than an all-wheel-drive electric vehicle? But Subaru is only planning to release it in the ZEV states. Colorado needs to take action to increase model availability."
• Regulators approve rules for EV charging, despite criticism from consumer advocate
  Nevada Independent - May 11, 2018
  State regulators on Thursday approved rules that allow NV Energy to play a central role in building electric vehicle charging stations. The decision, intended to kick-start the industry, was applauded by clean energy advocates but criticized by the state’s consumer advocate, who argued the rules expanded the utility’s mandate at a potentially high cost to ratepayers. Will Toor, who directs the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, said the charging stations were a public good. Electric vehicles, he said, have the obvious benefits of lower greenhouse emissions but went a step further to argue that they could even reduce rates over time by helping the utility better balance demand for power with its supply. “In addition to the community and public benefits, we believe there are specific benefits that accrue to utility ratepayers,” he argued.

April 2018

• Business groups team up to urge increase in transportation funding
  Denver Business Journal - April 10, 2018
  SWEEP transportation-program director Will Toor said he would like to see SB 1 dedicate at least 15 percent of spending toward multi-modal solutions, allocate at least 40 percent of total revenue to local governments and remove a provision making it more difficult to add toll lanes to highways. “The state spends less than 1 cent per person per day on public transit — 20 times less than the national average,” Toor said. “In order to address this, it makes sense both to use available revenue in the general fund and ask the voters to increase taxes.”
• ‘America First’ Or Dirtier Air? What EPA Rollbacks On Auto Emissions Could Mean
  Colorado Public Radio - April 5, 2018
  CO Public Radio interviews SWEEP's Will Toor about EPA's proposal to halt improvements in car and light truck fuel efficiency. "Will Toor of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project tells Colorado Matters he opposes the move, and believes it will hurt Coloradans in their wallets and in diminished air quality."
• Don’t roll back U.S. auto emissions standards
  Denver Post - April 4, 2018
  Colorado's leading newspaper supports fuel efficiency and mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, and opposes EPA chief Pruitt's push to roll back the standards. "If the auto industry and consumers hit the targets in the agreement, they would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 billion tons, oil consumption by 2.2. million barrels per day from 2010 levels and fuel costs by $1.7 trillion."
• Analysis: How EPA’s rollback of auto mileage rule would impact Colorado
  Durango Herald - April 3, 2018
  The rollback of federal auto-mileage standards – expected by the Trump administration in the coming days – could erase some of the progress being made in Colorado on cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, according to analyses by environmental groups. “Having this rule yanked out from under us will send Colorado backward,” said Will Toor, transportation program director at the Boulder-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.

March 2018

• Climate, clean air goals in danger
  Boulder Daily Camera - March 31, 2018
  The Trump administration has launched such a dizzying array of attacks on environmental quality in its first year that it's sometimes hard to keep track of them all. But perhaps the most direct assault on environmental quality yet is expected this week, when Pruitt plans to announce the administration will revoke auto emission standards set in 2012, which mandate that the fuel efficiency of cars, sport-utility vehicles and light trucks continue to improve on an annual basis through 2025. The effects of a rollback on Boulder's and Colorado's emission reduction goals could be devastating. Former Boulder mayor Will Toor, now director of the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, estimates that if Pruitt succeeds in rolling back mandated improvements after 2021, it will negate the entire improvement in emissions expected from the Colorado Energy Plan announced by Xcel Energy last year, which calls for retiring 660 megawatts of coal-fired electric capacity and replacing it with wind, solar and natural gas. "There is simply no way that Boulder can achieve its climate goals without the clean-car standards," Toor said. "If you look at projections for greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in Boulder, the biggest single reduction comes from federal standards forcing cars to get cleaner. From a metro area perspective, cars are one of the two big sources of ozone precursors contributing to smog and violations of federal air quality standards. The other big source is oil and gas production, a not-unrelated source. Rolling back the standards will increase emissions of ozone precursors, making it harder to clean the air here."
• Colorado Senate committee unplugs bill to allow Xcel to build EV charging stations March
  Colorado Politics - March 28, 2018
  Despite strong support from the business community, the Colorado state senate's transportation committee killed a proposal to let Xcel Energy to build electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations to bolster the development of the alternative transport. It failed on a 3-2 vote along party lines. SWEEP's Will Toor had argued for the plan, citing a 2017 study by the consulting firm M J Bradley & Associates that calculated the annual savings by 2030 from high EV penetration in Colorado could be $70 million a year. Under PUC regulations that money would be returned to customers, Toor said.
• Colorado to spend millions building electric-vehicle charging stations
  Denver Business Journal - March 26, 2018
  After more than a year of work, Colorado air pollution officials last week finalized a plan to spend $68.7 million to cut car and truck pollution in the state by investing in electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. “I think the state has done a really good job of crafting a plan that will support the bold goals the Governor set out in the Colorado Electric Vehicle plan earlier this year,” SWEEP's Will Toor said.
• TEP, APS ordered to cut reliance on gas, add renewables in long-term plans
  Arizona (Tucson) Daily Star - March 19, 2018
  Arizona utility regulators have sent a strong message to the state’s biggest power companies: Step off the gas.The high level of public engagement in the resource planning process shows Arizonans want clean energy and energy efficiency, said Ellen Zuckerman, Arizona senior associate with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “The ACC’s decision to start getting the utilities better in sync with public appetite for cleaner energy resources and cost savings is good to see,” Zuckerman said.
• Arizona regulators rebuff utilities, order turn from gas to renewables
  PV Magazine - March 15, 2018
  As an historic first, the Arizona Corporation Commission has voted not to acknowledge the gas-heavy energy resource plans of utilities, and is pushing instead an aggressive clean energy plan by one of its members. In a report highlighted by Western Resource Advocates and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, if just one electricity utility – APS – were to install renewable energy sources, backed with energy storage and efficiency, instead of the planned 4,000-5,500 MW of gas – customers would save roughly $300 million.
• Arizona regulators hope to put hold on utilities' gas-fired ambitions
  Electric Light and Power online - March 15, 2018
  Arizona regulators are scuttling plans by the state’s utilities to massively expand natural gas-fired generation until they take time to officially study and report on the cost comparisons with alternative energy and storage options. “The unprecedented level of public engagement in this process underscores that Arizona is a state where people want clean energy and energy efficiency and all the benefits they bring,” said Ellen Zuckerman with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project in a statement. “The ACC’s decision to start getting the utilities better in sync with public appetite for cleaner energy resources and cost savings is good to see.”
• Arizona regulators move to place gas plant moratorium on utilities
  Utility Dive - March 15, 2018
  This story doesn't directly quote SWEEP, but used much of our information. A published decision is not yet available, but the commissioners' amendments signal how the agency envisions Arizona's energy landscape and the future of natural gas in the state.
• Henderson receives energy efficiency award
  KTNV - March 14, 2018
  Henderson, NV, is seeing green by saving green, says a Nevada television station. KTNV reports on SWEEP awarding the 2018 Energy Codes Count award to the City of Henderson.
• People Are Buying Electric Cars in Bulk to Get Cheaper Prices
  Motherboard - March 5, 2018
  Online geek magazine Motherboard gives SWEEP kudos for advancing the idea of "group buys" for electric vehicles, thus lowering prices for consumers. "In 2016, US advocacy group Southwest Energy Efficiency Project noted EV sales doubled and even tripled in communities where group-buying programs existed. Earlier this year, Colorado said group-buys would be a major driver in attaining its ambitious goal of having 940,000 EVs by 2030."
• Nevada accelerates efforts to widen electric transportation adoption
  Northern Nevada Business Weekly - March 2, 2018
  According to the Nevada Governor's Office of Energy (GOE), nearly 90 percent of the energy consumed in the state comes from imported fossil fuels. Accounting for nearly one-third of this energy consumption is transportation. The GOE and partnering agencies are charged - in more ways than one - to change this fact by navigating Nevada into an electric transportation transition. This story is based on presentations made at SWEEP's Northern Nevada Electric Transportation Forum in February 2018. Although it doesn't quote SWEEP directly, it does clearly explain the issues, challenges and clean energy potential of deploying more electric vehicles in the Silver State.
• What’s driving a Tesla Model X like for a first-time electric vehicle user?
  Northern Nevada Business Weekly - March 2, 2018
  A magazine journalist got behind the wheel of an electric car at the SWEEP-sponsored electric vehicle forum in Reno, NV and discovered that the new vehicles are fun as well as clean. "I feel like I'm on a ride at Disneyland."
• Clean energy advocates decry proposed electric, hybrid vehicle fees
  Deseret News - March 1, 2018
  Utah Clean Energy and other entities that include Rocky Mountain Power are harnessing their opposition to a transportation funding bill that includes significant registration fee increases for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. "While this bill includes important provisions to increase funding for mass transit, we’re very concerned that the Senate is moving forward with the third-highest fee for electric vehicles in the United States," said Kevin Emerson with Utah Clean Energy. "This fee will deter electric vehicle adoption in Utah."

February 2018

• Electric Transportation Forum
  KTVN Ch. 2 News Reno, NV - February 22, 2018
  Check out the KTVN-Channel 2 news story about SWEEP's recent NV electric forum, including snowstorm interview with SWEEP's Will Toor, as well as a calmer but still outdoor discussion with state Sen. Patricia Spearman, who sponsored important energy efficiency legislation last year. The one-minute newscast also describes the value of the eight-state (including NV) agreement to create charging stations along 7,000 miles of interstate highways.
• Colorado’s NREL — a workhorse in national solar, wind research — faces “devastating” cuts in Trump budget proposal
  Denver Post - February 1, 2018
  SWEEP's Howard Geller on Trump's proposal to slash DOE's funding: "Deep cuts in funding for DOE’s renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs would be devastating to NREL and would harm clean energy businesses throughout Colorado. We urge the Colorado congressional delegation to push back."

January 2018

• Governor Sets Bold Goals for Electric Vehicles
  Prowers Journal - January 28, 2018
  The newspaper in eastern Colorado describes Gov. Hickenlooper's plan to encourage the development and installation of electric vehicle charging stations. The story quotes SWEEP's Will Toor: "Governor Hickenlooper is taking a bold step forward by setting a target of nearly a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. This would save consumers over half a billion dollars a year in fuel costs, would drive down electricity rates, saving utility customers $50 million per year, and would have a major impact on cleaner air and lower carbon emissions."
• Few EVs in rural Colorado now, but with spark that may change; Expect to see fast-charging stations along highways in 2018
  Mountain Town News - January 23, 2018
  Colorado’s state government has been assisting in many local efforts to smooth and accelerate the transition to electrified transportation. Now, the state is expanding its effort to secondary highways, both federal and state. One-third is to be used for in-town locations but two-thirds is to go to highways. U.S. Highway 50 through Gunnison could be a potential recipient. Will Toor, transportation program manager for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, points out that Colorado has the 6th largest market share of EVs in the country.
• Legislature begins the fight, again, over how to pay for transportation
  Durango Herald - January 23, 2018
  The Colorado Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday afternoon served up the official opening volley of another contentious fight over how to pay for transportation to keep up with Colorado’s growth. Mike Salisbury, a transportation expert for the Colorado-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, agreed local governments should get money and expanding broader forms of transportation is critical. Local roads, state highways, bike paths and transit services Coloradans are relying on have become increasing inadequate,” he said.
• Sales Of Electric Cars Have Doubled In Colorado The cars are gaining popularity across the state.
  KCNC Channel 4 - January 5, 2018
  CBS affiliate in Denver, CO offers an in-depth explanation of why sales of electric vehicles have doubled in Colorado, and why emerging technologies may make such cars more affordable, longer-range and even more environmentally friendly.
• Billions From VW Settlement Boost Push to Clean Vehicles
  Stateline - January 4, 2018
  Prestigious national policy publication explains that many states will use VW emission fraud settlement funds to encourage deployment of electric vehicles as a way to affordably improve their air quality. SWEEP's Will Toor is quoted.