Oil shale experiment continues

Oil shale has remained on the back burner as a potential energy source for decades. Western Colorado residents are all too familiar with the oil shale bust of 1982, when Exxon shut down its operations with no advance notice. Driven by government subsidies designed to encourage experimentation with methods of extracting oil from shale, the […]

Energy forecast: Natural gas likely to play a bigger role

Less than three years ago, natural gas prices were rising as concerns mounted supplies would run short by the end of the century. Continued dependence on oil also raised fears and gasoline topped $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008. Now, in late 2010, prices for natural gas and gasoline have dropped. The price […]

Western Slope coal mines face uncertain future

Mike Moran Business Times These are challenging times for the coal industry in Western Colorado. As political and economic pressure builds to force power plants to switch from coal to natural gas, coal miners nervously wonder what the future holds for production and employment. And for a coal mine located north of Loma, that future […]

PUC mulls labor effects of proposed power plant conversions

Mike Moran Business Times The Colorado Public Utilities Commission continues to stage a series of hearings, listening to testimony on a proposal to convert three Xcel Energy power plants from coal to natural gas. According to a news release issued by an organization called Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Denver City Councilman Chris Nevitt delivered written […]

Mesa County jobless rate drops to lowest level in four months

Phil Castle Business Times The Mesa County unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in four months even as labor demand continues to increase. “On a snapshot basis, it’s a much improved picture,” said David Porfirio, manager of business services at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According to the latest estimates […]

Airline announces new route between Grand Junction and Houston

Continental Airlines plans to offer service between Grand Junction and Houston starting next year. Flights between Grand Junction Regional Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport are among the new routes announced today by United Continental Holdings, the holding company created following the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Rex Tippetts, director of aviation for the […]

Workplace wellness incentives and disincentives predicted

Andrew Webber expects a growing proportion of businesses to offer programs that promote a healthier work force — and counter rising health insurance costs and improve productivity in the process. But at the same time, employees who don’t participate in such wellness programs could face disincentives, including higher insurance premiums. “Over time, I think some […]