In this week's newsletter, Independence Institute's Education Policy Center Director, Pam Benigno, suggests a fun, educational road trip activity. Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy on behalf of the Energy and Environmental Policy Center, discusses the recently published issue brief on green hydrogen and the challenges of prematurely retooling Colorado's economy. Thanks to Shayne Madsen, our in-house General Counsel, our summer interns attended an oral argument in the Colorado Court of Appeals last month and were given the rare opportunity to meet with the Judges. They will be back in court on July 10th to continue their hands-on education of our legal system.
We would like to wish all our readers a happy July Fourth and ask that everyone take a moment to remember what the holiday is about: Independence from a tyrannical government. Also, ask yourself if you can do more in the fight for limited government and personal freedom. Independence Institute fights for these principles year round so please consider a donation to fund our continued battles against government overreach. This fight is important and we can only do it with support from people like you.
July is one of my favorite months of the year. Besides celebrating Independence Day, many of us go on vacation in July. On our SchoolChoiceforKids.org website, parents can find enrichment activities that are especially applicable to July. For instance, there is an animated video about the first 4th of July. While traveling to other states, children can create a state notebook and, through song, learn the names of the fifty states.
Independence Day is a celebration of freedom. With August approaching and back-to-school shopping on the horizon, parents should be mindful of preserving their freedom to instill their own values and beliefs in their children. Recently, I addressed a group about how special interests influence Colorado’s state legislature and public schools to promote their agendas. The title of my presentation was “Are the Public Schools Robbing Young Children of Their Innocence?” Check out these Colorado Department of Education resources for teaching first-grade civics and history and decide for yourself. Some of you may choose to declare your independence from the public schools.
The Energy and Environmental Policy Center is pleased to announce the publication of a new issue brief on the costs of policymakers relying on green hydrogen to be the key that unlocks Colorado’s decarbonization efforts.
“Retooling the economy to prematurely run on hydrogen will cost Coloradans dearly,” Lewis found. “Building hydrogen infrastructure could cost Colorado households as much as $4,800 per year for the next fifteen years.”
Furthermore, he noted that the plans would encourage the worst aspects of monopoly utility profligacy on the backs of captive Colorado ratepayers.
“Colorado’s utility companies will inevitably pass the cost of upgrading their pipelines on to their customers,” Lewis said. “If hydrogen blending occurs concurrently with the decarbonization of the power sector, Colorado’s 2.05 million natural gas-using households, businesses, and manufacturers will inevitably need to pay an additional $9,500 to $71,000 over the next 15 years.”
Ultimately, he cautioned against policymakers continuing to force the issue until green hydrogen can clear a market test.
“Federal and state policies subsidizing and encouraging the blind expansion of hydrogen before its prime is, at best, a waste of financial and material resources, and at worst a detriment to Coloradans’ health and safety,” he concluded.
Click here to read the full issue brief and see our policy recommendations.
In Complete Colorado, columnist Ari Armstrong shines a light on the dubious listings of the SPLC's Colorado-based "hate groups".
Reporter Sherrie Peif covers local governments opting-out of the "sensitive spaces" bill.
Joy Overbeck pens a guest op-ed on voters' backlash of the Colorado GOP's interference in primary races.
Podcasts *Available on all major platforms*
Did you know 46% of the voters in Colorado are unaffiliated? Have you ever wondered why? Hear from the experts at Independence Institute talk about the issues important to Colorado and how to bring some sanity to this increasingly leftist state.
Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program.
PowerGab focuses on unique energy issues facing Colorado. Hosted by Amy Cook, Independence Institute's Energy and Environmental Policy Center Director, and Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy, PowerGab tackles the complexities of energy policy and solutions for a broad audience to educate and illuminate all while having a few laughs along the way.
This podcast includes several series of commentaries about the Constitution. Each series will cover a different aspect of the document. This series thumbnails the lives of 14 American Founders and their specific contributions to the Constitution. It covers both well-known Founders, such as James Madison, and those who are lesser known, but who exercised an out-sized influence.
Political commentator and KOA talk show host Ross Kaminsky thinks the Colorado GOP is not only out of touch with swing voters, but out of touch with most Republicans.
PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke discuss Colorado's Clean Heat Plan, the push of swapping gas for electric, and who is going to end up paying.
Upcoming Events
NEXT CLASS
Thursday, August 1, 2024 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Koelbel Library 5955 South Holly Street Denver, CO 80121
