The cost of coal is going up, and it isn’t because of the prospect of climate legislation or cap and trade. Short and simple, demand is beginning to outpace supply. East coast coal reserves are declining, and growing foreign demand is projected to skyrocket. As reported by the Denver Post, in only 13 months from September 2009 to November of 2010 the price of coal more than doubled, from about $6/ton to over $13/ton.

Over 60 percent of Colorado’s electricity comes from coal, and for Colorado businesses the going rate of our most common fuel will have a dramatic impact on the cost of doing business. Add to this, Xcel Energy’s plans to convert coal plants to more costly natural gas powered systems, and it is little wonder why more and more business and property owners are looking to supply a portion of their own power needs with solar energy.
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DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today approved seasonal tiered electric rates for Xcel Energy in which residential customers will pay more for higher usage during peak summer months and less during other non-peak times.
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