Wind energy may contribute to Colorado pollution

Wind energy is seen as a vital piece of the renewable-energy movement.

But it may be contributing to the pollution problem along the Front Range, according to a draft report sponsored by members of Colorado’s natural gas industry.

The report says that the greatly increased use of wind energy in the past few years may have raised pollution levels from coal and natural gas-fueled power plants owned by Xcel Energy Inc. That’s because the frequent change in output asked of power plants, in response to the availability of wind and solar power, adds to pollution, the report says.

If the report’s conclusions are true, then that challenges beliefs about the connection between renewable wind power and improved air quality.

But representatives of environmental groups and Xcel say they have doubts about its methods and are skeptical about its conclusions. The final report is expected to be completed within weeks.

“We have some questions,” said Roy Palmer, Xcel’s director of state government affairs.

Read the full story in the Denver Business Journal.