Publications: Papers & Reports
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Click for Lands Reports
- Fossil Foolishness: Utah's Pursuit of Tar Sands and Oil Shale (2010) In this report, WRA examines what it would mean for Utah should tar sands and oil shale potentially become sources of transportation fuel. Our research focuses on the likely impacts of commercial development of these deposits on Utah’s water, air, and economy, as well as rural communities. The executive summary is available here.
- An Assessment of the Energy Return on Investment (EROI) of Oil Shale (2010) The energy intensity of developing oil shale calls into question whether it is in reality a viable source of energy. A report prepared for WRA by Dr. Cutler Cleveland indicates oil shale may not produce any more energy than is consumed in the process to turn it into fuel. Combined with its high GHG emissions and the water-intensive nature of the extraction process, oil shale has has more drawbacks than benefits. Click here for the full report and here for the executive summary.
- Oil Shale Economics (2010) Is oil shale economically viable? Even the federal government doesn't know. A close review of economic data reveals that potential economic benefits of oil shale are are far different than what proponents claim.
- Water on the Rocks: Oil Shale Water Rights In Colorado (2009) This groundbreaking report is the first to catalogue the extensive holdings of water rights in western Colorado that could be used for oil shale development. While it is unknown if commercial-scale development will ever occur due to oil shale being such a problematic resource, these huge holdings of water rights area a serious concern for Colorado and other states in the Colorado River Basin. The link points to a special section of the WRA site devoted to the report.
- Driving it Home: Choosing the Right Path for Fueling North America’s Transportation Future (2007)
A report by Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pembina Institute, and Western Resource Advocates on the perils of relying on dirty and costly unconventional fuels to satisfy the nation’s need for transportation fuels. The report describes the risks of attempting to extract oil from oil shale, tar sands, or liquid coal; examines the risks for investors of gambling on these dirty fuel sources, and lays out solutions for guiding us toward a cleaner fuel future. - Using Natural Gas More Efficiently: Saving Money and Protecting our Western Way of Life (2005)
This report details how a national effort to use natural gas more efficiently could go a long way toward protecting public lands. - Preserving Our Public Lands (2002) (2.6 MB)
A citizen's guide to understanding and participating in oil and gas decisions affecting our public lands (2002 illustrated version) - Ending the Natural Gas Crisis: The Critical Role of Renewables and Efficiency (2001) (55 kb)
- Preserving Our
Public Lands (2001) (241kb)
A citizen's guide to understanding and participating in oil and gas decisions affecting our public lands (2001 version)
Click for Energy Reports
- Delivering Energy Savings: Innovative Energy Efficiency Strategies for Rural Electric Cooperatives and Small Public Power Utilities (2010) (3.5MB .pdf file) One out every four electricity customers in the nation gets their power from electrical co-ops or small electrical utilities. This report focuses on how these power suppliers can create energy efficiency programs that are effective and cost-efficient. By studying successful energy efficiency programs in other coops and small utilities, WRA passes along these valuable lessons learned. Conservation is a less expensive source of supply than building new power generation, and doesn't create additional problematic emisissions.
- Phoenix Green: Designing a Community Tree Planting Program for Phoenix, Arizona (2010) (5.5MB .pdf) Shade trees aren't just an aesthetic landscaping choice they are also an effective way to reduce energy demands in the sunny Southwest. This report prescribes a tree planting program for Phoenix, AZ that can effectively reduce energy demand, increase quality of life, and serve as a template for other communities wishing to reduce their summer cooling energy loads.
- Smart Lines (2008) (3.6MB)
All the renewable energy projects in the West will not have an impact unless there is the transmission to get it to market. Government and industry are recognizing this fact and options are being considered to bring more capacity, more lines and more access to the grid. But poorly designed transmission remedies will have serious environmental consequences and run into significant opposition. Western Resource Advocates' Smart Lines Report shows how to do transmission right. - Investment Risk of New Coal-Fired Power Plants (2008) (2.2 MB)
Making billion-dollar investments in new conventional coal-fired power plants entails a risk that costs may not be fully recovered. In particular, there is a potential for costs to significantly exceed the projections used to justify investment in the plant in the first place. Three types of cost escalation “surprises” that are especially important include construction costs, fuel costs, and greenhouse gas emission regulation costs. - A Clean Electric Energy Strategy for Arizona (1.4 mb)
The clean energy strategy described in this report can reliably meet Arizona’s growing electricity demands, with very limited emissions of greenhouse gases and at reasonable cost. Load growth can be met with energy efficiency savings, renewable energy, advanced coal generation with greatly reduced CO2 emissions, and natural gas–fired generation. No new pulverized coal power plants are needed. - A Commitment to Serve: A Cooperative Board Member’s Guide to G&T Resource Planning (2007) (2.8 MB)
The decision to commit to new resources is an important one that will leave a legacy for customers for decades to come. Board members play a critical role in determining what that legacy will be and how the electric system will create benefits — and responsibilities — for the system’s members well into the future.
This report highlights the issues, uncertainties, and risks associated with various resource planning options-- information that will help board members participate in the development of their power supplier’s resource plan.
- Climate Alert: Cleaner Energy for the Southwest (2007) (890 KB)
If more than a dozen coal-fired power plants planned for Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah begin operating, they would emit global warming pollution equivalent to the tailpipe exhaust of 12.5 million cars driving around the Southwest for a year. The potential for such a huge increase in carbon dioxide emissions is the focus of this new report from Environmental Defense and Western Resource Advocates: “Climate Alert: Cleaner Energy for the Southwest.” - State Clean Energy Policies for the Electric Sector: A Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region (2007) (274 KB)
This report was prepared for Western Progress by Western Resource Advocates to help educate key decision-makers in the Rocky Mountain region about the status of clean energy policies. - Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's Resource Plan: Analysis and Alternative (2006) (2.9 MB)
Western Resource Advocates and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project challenge a proposal to build three large new coal-fired power plants and associated transmission lines at a cost of $5 billion. This report shows that there are better ways to meet growing energy demands, and that the proposed new plants are unnecessary. - Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's Resource Development Plan: Update 1, Forecast Review and Rate Impacts (2006) (460 KB)
The 44 electric co-ops served by Denver-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission are facing double-digit rate increases for wholesale electricity to pay for Tri-State’s proposed construction of three new coal-fired power plants, according to Western Resource Advocates' new economic study. This update is a follow up to an April 2006 analysis and provides more detailed information. - Western Coal at the Crossroads (2006) (2.1 MB)
This report details the economic stakes for Western states as integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) coal technology emerges as an alternative to pulverized coal fired power. - Clearing California's Coal Shadow from the American West (2005)
Released December 2004 in collaboration with Environmental Defense and Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies. - The Balanced Energy Plan for the Interior West (2004)
The Balanced Energy Plan outlines financially sound and environmentally sustainable ways for utilities to pollute less and meet growing energy demands. - Opportunities for Clean Energy for the Colorado Springs Utilities (2003) (pdf 124 kb)
- The Path Forward: Cleaner, Healthier Air for Colorado (2003) (pdf 95 kb)
- Read our comments on the BLM Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Scoping (2003)
- Renewable Energy Atlas of the West (2002)
A Guide to the Region's Resource Potential - The Grassroots are Greener (1999) (pdf 132 kb)
A community-based approach to Marketing Green Power - Colorado Can Benefit from Texas Approach to Renewable Energy (pdf 18 kb)
- Ending the Natural Gas Crisis: The Critical Role of Renewables and Efficiency (55 kb)
Click for Water Reports
- "Protecting the Lifeline of the West: How Climate and Energy Policies Can Safeguard Water" (2010) (2MP .pdf file)
This report by Western Resource Advocates and Environmental Defense Fund illustrates why legislation is needed to curtail the risk unmitigated climate change poses to western water supplies and highlights the inextricable links between energy and water in the region. Climate and clean energy policy is also smart water policy. Transitioning away from forms of energy that emit health-harming greenhouse gases can also free-up the vast amounts of water formerly used for energy production. An executive summary of the report is also available. - Water Conservation = Energy Conservation (2009)
This white paper produced for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, WRA illustrates the links between energy and water in four Colorado cities, and estimates the energy and greenhouse gas savings generated by different water conservation measures. In addition, the report outlines opportunities for collaboration between state agencies and energy and water utilities. - New House, New Paradigm: A Model for How to Plan, Build, and Live Water-smart (2009)
New House, New Paradigm provides an innovative take on how new housing development should proceed in the West: water conservation and efficiency must be built-in to the process of planning, building, and living in new communities. While all three aspects have been pursued independently, integrating conservation throughout these three phases is necessary to achieve the water savings that must occur as rapid growth persists across the western US. The report documents how this approach has succeeded in a handful of new communities. - Water on the Rocks: Oil Shale Water Rights In Colorado (2009) This groundbreaking report is the first to catalogue the extensive holdings of water rights in western Colorado that could be used for oil shale development. While it is unknown if commercial-scale development will ever occur due to oil shale being such a problematic resource, these huge holdings of water rights area a serious concern for Colorado and other states in the Colorado River Basin. The link points to a special section of the WRA site devoted to the report.
- Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities:
A Balanced Proposal for the Cache la Poudre River in Colorado (2008) (542KB .pdf)
Co-authored with the Save the Poudre Coalition, "Healthy Rivers" examines the impacts the proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) would have on the Poudre River in Northern Colorado and how other alternative measures can meet the same goals set for the NISP project. The report also exposes flawed data and cost estimates provided by project proponents. - A Sustainable Path: Meeting Nevada's Water and Energy Demands (2008) (1.7MB .pdf)
The first of a series of three case studies, this report on water and energy in Nevada looks at the impact that growing water demands and water-hungry fossil energy production will have on Nevada's future water supply. This scenario is contrasted against a future where water and energy efficiency practices are implemented and renewable energy is used to meet new energy demands. While the unsustainability of Nevada's "business as usual" approach to meeting Nevada's energy and water demands is no surprise, the urgency necessary to shift away from this unsustainable path is. The report's executive summary is available here. - Smart Savings: Water Conservation Measures that Make Cents (2008) (pdf 685 KB) This report provides water utility managers and the public with information that can
be utilized to gauge the likely effectiveness of a variety of water conservation measures. Each conservation measure represented differs with respect to the number of participants, the water savings achieved, and the utility costs, but all reveal effective ways of reducing water demand. - Front Range Water Meter: Water Conservation Ratings and Recommendations for 13 Colorado Communities (2007) (3 MB) This report evaluates conservation programs in 13 communities along Colorado’s Front Range, with a focus on quality, availability, and cost of conservation efforts, and making specific recommendations for each community.
- Hidden Oasis: Water Conservation and Efficiency in Las Vegas (2007) (6.5 MB) This report by Western Resource Advocates and the Pacific Institute that the Las Vegas Valley is sitting on an oasis of water and money savings. The report finds that up to 40% of water could be saved in some sectors through improvements to indoor and outdoor water efficiency.
- Urban Water on the Wasatch Front: Past, Present, and Future (2006) (2.4 MB)
Western Resource Advocates released a new report on December 6 outlining ways to meet increasing urban demands for water along Utah’s Wasatch Front. The report — called Urban Water on the Wasatch Front: Past, Present, and Future — highlights the potential for meeting Utah’s urban water supply through conservation and efficiency instead of by building expensive new dams and other water projects. - Water in the Urban Southwest: An Updated Analysis of Water Use in Albuquerque, Las Vegas Valley and Tucson (2006) (4.6 Mb) This report provides new information on water use in these fast growing municipalities and shows that business, schools and resorts are integrating conservation into their day–to-day practices, reducing their demand by millions of gallons each year.
- Water Rate Structures in New Mexico: How New Mexico Cities Compare Using this Important Water Use Efficiency Tool (2006) (1.1 MB)
Written by Western Resource Advocates and Professor Denise Fort of The University of New Mexico, this report takes a close look at the wide variety of water rate structures in New Mexico cities, ranging from those that promote efficient water use to those that actually encourage wasteful use. - Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado (2005)
Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Environmental Coalition’s report on how to satisfy municipal water demands along the Front Range for the next 25 years. This report offers a balanced approach for increasing the Front Range's water supply faster, with less harm to the environment, and much less controversy than traditional water development projects. - Water Rate Structures in Utah: How Utah Cities Compare Using This Important Water Use Efficiency Tool (2005)
In semi-arid Utah, precious rivers, streams, and aquifers sustain cities and towns by feeding urban water supply systems. With a finite supply, Utah citizens, policymakers, and water utility managers must fulfill the dual role of ensuring water in customer taps and in Utah’s rivers, as Utahns place a high value on both. Water rate structures play an essential role in communicating the value of water to water customers, thus promoting long-term efficient use. - Water Rate Structures in Colorado: How Colorado Cities Compare in Using this
Important Water Use Efficiency Tool (2004)
Water rate structures are becoming an important tool for encouraging the most efficient use of our precious water in the arid West. This report offers a guide to the various pricing options that urban water managers and policymakers can use. It explains which options generate the strongest incentive for efficient water use and yield the fairest billing for consumers who place different levels of strain (demand) on water supply systems. It then compares water rate structures in communities along Colorado’s Front Range and on Colorado’s Western Slope. - Drought Report (2003)(pdf 895 kb)
Western Resource Advocates is an active member in the Colorado Sustainable Water Caucus, a coalition of groups from all over the state working toward a sustainable water future. This Drought Report prepared on behalf of the Caucus includes common-sense alternatives for meeting our future water needs. - Gunnison Basin Water: No Panacea for the Front Range (2003) (pdf 1231 kb)
- The Last Straw: Water Use by Power Plants in the Arid West (2003) (674 KB .pdf) The Last Straw, co-authored by Western Resource Advocates and the Clean Air Task Force, describes the relationship between power generation and water use in the West. It includes examples where impacts to water resources have affected power plant proposals, and, explores opportunities to reduce both water use and water quality impacts from power generation through a new focus on electricity demand management and renewable energy sources.
- SMART WATER: A Comparative Study of Urban Water Use Efficiency Across the Southwest (2003)