Needed: Diverse, reliable energy

Sixteen years ago, I was taking action to introduce clean nanotechnology energy into Highlands Ranch and in Colorado to augment, not displace, fossil fuels. I was a strong advocate for a full suite of energy sources. It was the original Green New Deal. Green by earning a huge return-on-investment and eventually lowering energy costs.

In 2006, I teamed up with ThunderRidge HS over four years and 36 seniors developed a clean tech business plan to change the Colorado Constitution to incorporate as “energy cities” and build a clean nanotechnology energy incubator for clean-tech startups.

Over four years, the HS seniors worked on business plans for hydrogen home heating fuel cells, in-garage LNG auto fueling stations, wind, solar, hydro-electric and nuclear. The central focus was launching a clean nanotechnology energy incubator for start-ups.

Successes — the governor visited the HS in April 2008 for the clean tech energy day along with clean tech engineers, NREL, Ford Motor and hydrogen fuel cell companies all wanting to contribute to reducing America’s energy dependence on foreign oil. A clean tech incubator did get built (not in Highlands Ranch) and 36 high school seniors learned about clean technology, public speaking, and some even became environmental engineers.

The U.S. economy needs a diverse suite of energy choices: fossil, natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, wind, solar, and hydro power to maintain energy independence while keeping energy costs low and emissions at a manageable level. Today’s no fossil, yes wind/solar strategy is not the best path to take. Just ask Texas.

Steve Taraborelli

Highlands Ranch