Big Pivots: Phil Weiser on climate change
Phil Weiser, a candidate for Colorado governor, discussed his views on energy, climate change, and data centers at a campaign event in Lakewood. He indicated he would not support a statewide moratorium on data centers but would consider incentives for projects that offer economic development benefits, particularly if paired with guardrails on energy and water use and green energy sources like enhanced geothermal.
Phil Weiser, Colorado's current Attorney General and a leading Democratic candidate for governor, outlined his energy and climate policy views at a campaign event in Lakewood. During the Q&A session, he specifically addressed concerns about data centers, stating that he would not support a statewide moratorium on new facilities.
Instead, Weiser expressed openness to considering incentives for data center development in economically struggling areas, using Craig, Colorado, as a prime example. He emphasized that such projects would need to be paired with enhanced geothermal energy and strict guardrails on energy and water consumption to align with the state's climate goals.
The discussion also covered broader climate issues, including the risks of wildfires and the role of utilities like Xcel Energy in managing the power grid. Weiser highlighted the potential for localized, smaller-scale energy generation, known as distributed generation, as pursued by cooperatives such as United Power and Holy Cross Energy.
Weiser, who has served as Attorney General for eight years, also used the platform to contrast his record with that of Senator Michael Bennet, particularly regarding interactions with the previous presidential administration. He concluded by reiterating his commitment to addressing climate change through inclusive, innovative, and collaborative problem-solving.