Building Decarbonization and Non-Pipeline Alternatives in Colorado's Mountains Communities
On behalf of the Mountain Community Coalition (MCC), Synapse’s team, with expert witness Kenji Takahashi, reviewed Public Service Company of Colorado’s proposed Mountain Energy Project, a $155 million plan to address gas supply constraints in the Eastern Mountain System through a combination of demand-side non-pipeline alternatives and supplemental gas facilities. Synapse found that PSCo overstated demand forecasts and supply shortfalls by relying on unrealistic design temperatures, overlooking state and local decarbonization policies, and failing to account for heating system limitations. The Company also undervalued demand-side solutions such as electrification, energy efficiency, and thermal networks. Synapse’s analysis demonstrates that a demand-led portfolio could eliminate shortfalls by 2033 while aligning more closely with climate goals. The testimony recommends revising demand forecasts, reassessing supply shortfalls, and refining implementation planning to prioritize equitable, climate-consistent solutions. A settlement agreement was proposed addressing some of the shortcomings identified by Synapse, including changes to the non-pipeline alternative measures and heating system limitations.