October 27th, 2009 |
Published in
The Denver Post
By HOWARD PANKRATZ, DANIEL PETTY and BRUCE FINLEY
DENVER — A major fish kill that occurred in Cherry Creek in downtown Denver today was a “natural occurring event,” according to Jennifer Churchill of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
The fish that died were young gizzard shad, which are extremely susceptible to cooler temperatures, said Churchill. Cooler temperatures associated with an approaching winter storm, plus lower waters in Cherry Creek, caused the young fish to die, said Churchill.
“They are notorious for being done in by cooler temperatures,” said Churchill.
Meghan Hughes, spokeswoman for the Denver Environmental Health Department, said the number of fish that have died are “between the upper hundreds to a few thousand.”
Read the full story on The Denver Post Web site
August 21st, 2008 |
Published in
Stateline.org
Consumers already jarred by high food, gasoline and heating oil prices in many states now face another financial burden: skyrocketing electricity bills.
WASHINGTON — Around the country, electric utilities’ requests for rate increases have spiked in recent weeks, stemming from high-priced fuels such as coal and natural gas that are used to generate power. Those fuel price hikes — blamed on an increase in worldwide energy demand — are being passed on to ratepayers.
In West Virginia, the state’s largest natural gas utility is asking for a 42 percent rate increase. In Virginia, millions of Dominion Virginia Power customers are seeing their bills rise an average of 18 percent, the largest one-time rate hike there in three decades. And Ohio’s largest electric utility is seeking a 15 percent rate increase annually for the next three years because of high coal prices and a new state environmental law governing emissions that will cost the company money, a spokesman says.
“There’s no question that rising fuel prices have been driving utility bills higher,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.
Read the full story at Stateline.org
May 28th, 2008 |
Published in
Stateline.org
WASHINGTON — As fuel prices across the country pass $4 a gallon, many states are offering motorists at the start of the summer driving season suggestions and some solutions for relief.
Plans pursued by states range from widely discussed proposals to suspend gas taxes to exploring flex-time hours for state employees and allowing campers to store their recreational vehicles longer at state parks. Some motorists, as well, are cutting back their driving or taking advantage of vacation destinations closer to home.
One of the most generous proposals is from Alaska, where the high price of oil sold there is funneling money into its budget, at the same time it became the first state to see the average price of regular gas hit $4 a gallon. The national average is $3.80 a gallon as of May 20, according to AAA.
Read the full story at Stateline.org