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• Controversial NeuStream System Going in at Martin Drake Play Video

  March 27, 2013 12:24 PM

  The debate continues at City Hall in Colorado Springs over the future of the Martin Drake Power Plant downtown. Despite some opposition, Colorado Springs Utilities is moving forward with a new emission control system. It's called the NeuStream scrubbers, and the project is now 60% complete with a major... more »

• Superdome commission eyes change to power system

  February 27, 2013 4:01 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The panel that runs Louisiana's Superdome has approved spending up to $100,000 for a study of possible enhancements of the stadium's emergency power systems. Dome manager Doug Thornton says emergency systems worked well during the Super Bowl - when a problem traced to a utility company's... more »

• CSU working on power outage

  January 20, 2013 11:05 AM

  About 1,700 Colorado Springs Utilities customers are out of power Sunday morning. CSU is reporting about 1,700 hundred customers affected in central and northern Colorado springs, near the N. Academy Blvd. area. No word yet on what is causing the outage. CSU is working on the problem now.... more »

• Power outages affect parts of Colorado Springs

  August 2, 2012 5:55 AM

  At least 750 Colorado Springs Utilities customers are experiencing electrical problems this morning due to electrical failure. It's near the Vickers and Dublin. CSU says the repairs could take 3 to 4 hours. more »

• No power means no 4th celebrations for thousands

  July 4, 2012 5:21 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of thousands from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic are preparing to spend the Fourth of July like America's founders did in 1776, without the conveniences of electricity and air conditioning. Power outages from Friday's storm altered planned celebrations in a host of ways and left powerless... more »

• Power outage continues

  May 11, 2012 11:44 AM

  Power is still out for many people along Fountain Blvd. near Mallard and not far from Chelton. Colorado Springs utilities reports there are about 520 customers without electricity. more »

• Local start up aims to harness wave energy

  May 8, 2012 7:54 PM

  A local start-up company is on the cutting edge of renewable energy development by designing and building machines that make electricity by harnessing the power of ocean waves. Atargis Energy Corporation was founded in 2010 by Air Force Academy aeronautics professor Dr. Stefan Siegel, Ph.D. The company is currently... more »

• Power may be out for four hours or more

  April 27, 2012 7:42 AM

  Colorado Emergency Management has issued a statement asking people in the Lamar area to use caution due to downed power lines. Power is out in Lamar, Eads, Chivington and Sheridan Lake and surrounding areas. The statement calls damage to homes "considerable" and says power may be out for four... more »

• Fire threatens power pole in Boone

  March 25, 2012 9:31 PM

  A controlled burn in Boone ends up burning an acre and causing problems for a main power line. It happened Sunday afternoon at the intersection of 209 and highway 50 east. Firefighters say they responded quickly and were able to put it out, but it still caused some problems... more »

• 43,000 remain in the dark a week after Irene

  September 4, 2011 8:56 PM

  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - More than 43,000 households and business along the Eastern Seaboard that lost power during Irene remain without it a week after the storm. Most were in Connecticut, which had about 17,000 customers without power Sunday evening. Virginia had fewer than 12,000 still in the dark.... more »

• 3 million without power as weaker Hurricane Irene makes

  August 28, 2011 8:47 AM

  MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Irene, just barely a hurricane now with maximum winds of 75 mph, has made landfall again along the New Jersey coast near Little Egg Inlet. New York City is waiting for the storm without its usual hustle and bustle. The city is all but... more »

• Pigeon causes power outage in Greeley

  July 30, 2011 12:07 PM

  GREELEY, Colo. (AP) - A pigeon that flew into a Greeley power line left thousands without power and even put lights on the blink at the Weld County Fair. The pigeon collision happened Friday morning when three power lines were damaged after the bird flew into a power line.... more »

• Power out on Colorado Springs westside

  July 21, 2011 11:46 AM

  Electricity is out in a westside Colorado Springs neighborhood. Colorado Springs Utilities says it affects about 2,400 customers in the area around Rio Grande and Cimarron. Power is expected to be out for a couple of hours. more »

• Tornado reported in Kan. town, more than 20 homes destroyed, one dead

  May 22, 2011 10:46 AM

  READING, Kan. (AP) - The power is back on in Reading, Kansas, after a tornado struck last night. Authorities say it destroyed at least 20 homes and killed one person. The twister was produced by a system of severe thunderstorms that pelted eastern Kansas with hail that some... more »

• Small fire flares up at power plant

  May 2, 2011 3:08 PM

  A small fire has started up again at the Comanche Power Plant southeast of Pueblo. We first reported on it, more than a week ago on April 24. It was burning in coal bins which supply the plant with fuel. The Pueblo Fire Department reported this afternoon the... more »

• Pueblo County Commissioners to rule on nuclear proposal tonight

  April 25, 2011 12:52 PM

  The Pueblo County Commissioners will make a decision tonight on whether or not to allow an energy park south east of Pueblo which would clear the way for a nuclear power plant to be built there. Pueblo Attorney Don Banner is proposing the 24,000 acre park, which would include... more »

• Power outage puts short delay on some Easter celebrations

  April 24, 2011 2:41 PM

  Colorado Springs Utilities has notified News First 5 of a massive power outage covering most of Southeastern Colorado Springs. A Utilities spokesperson said this is the largest outage in recent history and the sheer area of the outage was too vast to name all the bordering streets to give an... more »

• Comanche 2 generating station idled for several weeks

  April 4, 2011 7:06 PM

  One of three coal-fired electrical generating stations southeast of Pueblo is down for repairs. Much of the cooling tower at the Comanche 2 station collapsed last Thursday night. It will be shut down for several weeks. The Comanche complex has three electrical generating stations. The other two continue to... more »

• New Black Hills generating station halfway complete

  March 30, 2011 8:02 PM

  Construction on the new half billion dollar power complex in Pueblo County is halfway there. For most Pueblo customers this means most of the power they use will be produced here. Black Hills Corporation is building the complex east of CSU-Pueblo. There are eight natural gas-fired turbines at the... more »

• Opposition to nuclear power plant plans rally

  March 30, 2011 11:51 AM

  A group opposing zoning plans which would allow a future nuclear power plant southeast of Pueblo will rally on Friday, trying to put pressure on the Pueblo County Comissioners to vote against the idea. The group, Puebloans for Smart Energy, will hold the rally on Friday at 4 p.m.... more »

• Day three of nuclear hearings in Pueblo

  March 17, 2011 12:52 PM

  Today is day three of hearing on a plan to build a nuclear power plant in Pueblo County. The County Commissioners have heard two nights of testimony, more than 8 hours, for and against the proposed energy park. Those in favor spoke Monday night, those against spoke last... more »

• An emergency at second nuclear plant declared in Japan

  March 12, 2011 6:47 PM

  TOKYO (AP) - Japan's nuclear safety agency is reporting an emergency at a second reactor in the same complex where an explosion occurred earlier. The agency says the cooling system has now malfunctioned at the plant's Unit 3. The plant is one of two damaged in Friday's earthquake and tsunami. more »

• Nuclear plant hearing location changed

  March 4, 2011 12:38 PM

  The land use hearing related to a proposed energy park in southeast Pueblo County has been extended to two days, in anticipation of many hours of testimony. The Pueblo County Commissioners will hear testimony for and against construction of a nuclear power plant, as well as other kinds of... more »

• Commissioners face vote on proposed nuclear power plant

  February 23, 2011 8:25 PM

  Plans are moving forward to allow the construction of a nuclear power plant in Southern Colorado. The plant would be located about 25 miles Southeast of Pueblo. County commissioners must now decide whether to okay the project. The project certainly has it's critics, including the Sierra Club which argues... more »

• Pueblo commission approves nuclear plant proposal

  February 23, 2011 12:53 PM

  In a meeting that lasted almost 7 hours, the Pueblo County Planning Commission approved two measures that might one day result in a nuclear power plant being built southeast of Pueblo. The 24,000 acre site south of Grape Road and east of Huerfano Road would include a nuclear power... more »

• Environmental group opposed to proposed nuclear power plant

  February 23, 2011 12:47 AM

  A group wants to build a clean energy park in southeast Pueblo County including a nuclear power plant, but not everyone supports it. Puebloans for Energizing Our Community want to build the energy park south of Highway 50, about 25 miles east of Pueblo. The land is zoned... more »

• Colorado asked to reconsider phasing out coal fired power plants

  January 4, 2011 7:45 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Coal interests are asking Colorado regulators to reconsider a plan for Xcel Energy to retire or replace some of its coal-fired power plants. The Public Utilities Commission last month approved a $1.4 billion plan for Xcel to close five coal-fired units in Denver and Boulder, build... more »

• Vestas sells more wind generators

  December 16, 2010 4:46 PM

  Vestas has received an order for 44 wind turbines to be installed near American Falls, Idaho for Ridgeline Energy. "We look forward to working with Ridgeline on its Rockland wind energy project," said Martha Wyrsch, President of Vestas Americas. "Ridgeline is a highly respected and experienced developer of commercial-scale... more »

• Vestas gets another order

  December 9, 2010 2:11 PM

  Vestas has received an order for 24 wind turbines for a project near Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. "Minnesota is one of the leading states for wind power, and we are excited to help create more clean, reliable energy here," said Martha Wyrsch, President of Vestas Americas. This is Vestas'... more »

• Green signs power big buck savings for Colorado Springs

  November 15, 2010 12:57 AM

  Solar energy helps power almost all Colorado Springs public schools flashing speed zone signs...and the savings are big. Simply in the initial installation costs, the money saved approaches $1 million dollars. "You don't have the boring, you don't have the excavation [both tasked needed to hook-up to a... more »

• Power restored in north Colorado Springs

  November 8, 2010 1:13 PM

  Update: Power has been completely restored. ----------------------------------------------- Colorado Springs Utilities confirms a power outage due to an underground cable which was severed at Copper Center. The outage affects about 700 customers -- potentially thousands of people. Work crews hope to have the power restored by 2 p.m.... more »

• Sacramento buys 55 wind turbines from Vestas

  October 21, 2010 5:59 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Vestas American Wind Technology Inc. says the Sacramento Municipal Utility District has ordered 55 wind turbines from it for a project near Rio Vista, Calif. Vestas said Thursday that the utility's 128-megawatt order includes a service and maintenance agreement that will last up to 15 years.... more »

• Xcel explores earlier closure of coal-fired unit

  October 20, 2010 3:02 PM

  Xcel Energy is studying whether it can speed up its timetable for retiring some coal-fired power plants to help Colorado meet federal clean air standards. A new state law required the utility to file a plan to reduce emissions by the end of 2017. Xcel's preference is to... more »

• Palisade considers tax increase for fire services

  October 19, 2010 8:34 AM

  Palisade voters are being asked for a property tax increase that supporters say will help the town's fire protection district after a loss of funding. Palisade Rural Fire Protection District Treasurer Maggie Somerville says the property tax increase is needed because the town will lose $50,000 in revenue when... more »

• State office prefers tweaking Xcel coal plan

  October 5, 2010 2:51 PM

  The Governor's Energy Office prefers speeding up Xcel Energy's plan to shutter, retrofit or replace some coal-fired power-generating units to help Colorado meet forseeable federal air pollution limits. A new state law required Xcel to submit a plan to significantly cut nitrogen oxide levels by 2017, but the plan... more »

• Electricity back on after 50 minute outage

  September 30, 2010 12:08 PM

  Electrical service failed on the southeast side of Pueblo early Thursday morning after an apparent problem at the Comanche power plant. A resident near the plant reported hearing a loud noise, which he called and "explosion" at the power plant around 6 a.m. He said he then saw blue... more »

• Black Hills moving on power plant construction

  September 28, 2010 8:22 PM

  Construction in underway on two new natural gas power plants near the Pueblo Memorial Airport. Black Hills Energy is spending more than $400 million to build the complex, which is located off of Pete Jimenez Parkway. On Tuesday, Pueblo County Commissioners approved an incentive agreement with the energy company. Black... more »

• Hearing on Xcel energy plan

  August 30, 2010 9:39 AM

  State regulators are gathering comment on Xcel Energy's plan to use less coal to produce electricity. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will hold a hearing on the plan Monday in Grand Junction starting at 6 p.m. Xcel has proposed spending $1.3 billion to convert coal-fired power plants to... more »

• Black Hills Energy mulls power plant options

  August 20, 2010 11:38 AM

  Black Hills Energy is studying two options for its coal-fired power plant in Canon City to comply with a new Colorado law aimed at cutting pollution from power plants. The company says it is studying whether to convert the plant to woody biomass or shutter it and expand a... more »

• Colorado solar company powering National Guard

  August 4, 2010 10:13 AM

  A solar power array is now generating electricity at the Colorado Army National Guard's readiness center in Grand Junction. The guard says it provides enough power to offset 450,000 pounds of carbon emissions. The 172-kilowatt system was installed by Bella Energy. Bella is based in Louisville, Colorado. more »

• Black Hills begins construction on new Pueblo facility

  July 22, 2010 6:35 PM

  Black Hills Energy was issued an air permit by the Colorado Department of Health Thursday for a new power plant to be built in Pueblo. The company said construction immediately began on two projects that will provide power to more than 90,000 customers by January of 2012. “Receiving... more »

• Pueblo athlete to compete at Special Olympics

  July 14, 2010 6:32 PM

  A man from Pueblo is out to prove disabilities can't get in the way of your dreams. Jeremy Rodriguez struggles with certain basic skills like reading, but when it comes to lifting weights, his coaches say he's in a league of his own. "Jeremy is a machine," said his coach... more »

• Storm cleanup underway in Kansas City

  July 12, 2010 4:39 PM

  Thousands of Kansas City residents started their day without power, after a powerful storm slammed the southside of the city Sunday. Homes were damaged by falling trees or limbs, which also blocked roads. The same area was hit by a devastating tornado in 1957, that killed 37 people.... more »

• More than a thousand homes without power in Pueblo

  June 21, 2010 1:34 PM

  More than a thousand homes in Pueblo lost power at around 10:30 a.m. Monday. A Black Hills Energy spokesman confirmed the outage, on Pueblo's south side. Customers along Vinewood, south of Pueblo Boulevard are affected. The number of houses and business without power is listed as 1,159. Crews... more »

• Birds call Three Mile Island home

  June 18, 2010 12:58 PM

  State wildlife officials say Three Mile Island, known for a 1979 nuclear accident, is now the only known site in Pennsylvania where bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey are nesting near each other. The Pennsylvania Game Commission said Friday that a pair of bald eagles joined the others on... more »

• Pueblo City Council to vote on Black Hills plant

  June 14, 2010 2:26 PM

  Tonight-June 14, city council is expected to vote on a deal that could bring a $450 million power complex to Pueblo. Last month the project almost came to a halt--but now it appears a compromise has been made. Black Hills Energy has selected Pueblo as its preferred site to build... more »

• State park energy bill signed by Governor in Pueblo

  June 8, 2010 6:50 PM

  An alternative energy bill was signed into law Tuesday with an aim of producing enough electricity at Colorado state parks to power them. Governor Bill Ritter signed the legislation at Lake Pueblo State Park. House Bill 1349 creates a new program designed to offset the amount of electricity used... more »

• Xcel urges conservation following substation fire

  June 8, 2010 3:58 PM

  Power has been restored to Denver residents following a transformer fire, but customers are being urged to conserve electricity over the coming days. Nearly 31,000 customers lost power Monday evening after a substation caught fire. Xcel Energy says power may have to be shut off to some customers... more »

• Xcel Energy working to restore power in Denver

  June 8, 2010 8:05 AM

  Xcel Energy is trying to find the cause an explosion at a power substation in east Denver that left about 31,000 customers without electricity. At least one explosion rocked the substation at about 6:30 p.m. Monday. A fire that sent a black plume of smoke about 60 feet into the... more »

• Local Chipotle to go solar as a test

  June 3, 2010 6:24 PM

  One local Chipotle Restaurant will go solar as part of a national test. The Chipotle at Citadel Crossing will add solar panels to its roof. That location was chosen partly because of Colorado's bright sunshine. It's estimated the power bill will go down 30 to 40 percent. "It's... more »

• Turning to geothermal in Colorado

  May 28, 2010 9:42 AM

  Colorado has been ramping-up its solar and wind energy projects over the past several years--geothermal could be next. The Bureau of Land Management is giving the public until June 24 to submit comments on a proposal to lease land in southeastern Gunnison County for geothermal energy development. The... more »

• Black Hills proposed plant hits roadblock

  May 26, 2010 7:34 PM

  Plans to build a $525 million dollar power complex in Pueblo has hit a roadblock. The sticking point, one sentence in a 24-page agreement. Now Black Hills Energy and some Pueblo City Council members are on opposite sides of the fence. It all comes down to something called a project... more »

• Colorado State University looks to add more solar

  May 10, 2010 8:39 AM

  Colorado State University plans to add a 3.3-megawatt solar farm that could be generating power by Christmas, if all goes according to plan. The university already has a 2-megawatt solar facility on its Foothills Campus west of Fort Collins that generates about 10 percent of the power needs on... more »

• Close to the Springs, but far from similar

  April 24, 2010 9:26 PM

  Nice weather for Colorado Springs doesn't always mean the same for the region. "My people are telling me its just we down there and I can't believe it because we have a major snowstorm going on up here." says Joe Wuertz, an El Paso County plow driver Wuertz is... more »

• Update: Power restored to Mountain View Electric customers

  April 24, 2010 10:21 AM

  Mountain View Electric says that all customers in the Black Forest, Calhan and Ellicott have their power back. Crews spent most of Saturday restoring power the was knocked out by heavy snows and high winds. Thousands of home were without power. Mountain View Electric says that there were no... more »