A Path to Pollution-Free Buildings: Meeting Xcel’s 2030 Gas Decarbonization Goals - Executive Summary

In this report, we recommend measures to drive a steep reduction in emissions from the gas utility and demonstrate how Xcel can meet Colorado’s targets in a way that delivers the most emissions reductions per ratepayer dollar. [...] And larger incentives are needed in the next few years to spur distributors, contractors, and building owners to stock, sell, and purchase electric appliances. [...] Making these investments in the next few years will help ensure the workforce is available to install a vast number of appliances in the latter part of the decade. [...] To deploy tens of thousands of heat pumps and improve the efficiency of homes and businesses, Colorado must spur a market transformation. [...] However, the long-term benefits of these investments outweigh the significant costs: our report shows that by 2030, the avoided fuel costs, investments in new gas infrastructure to serve new homes, and greenhouse gas emissions exceed the annual costs of the proposed clean heat measures.