GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — “If you look at the technologies we’re currently employing and those that we’re looking at going forward, the future is bright for western Colorado and how we’re going to help lead the rest of the country on how we get to the next level of energy production” voiced Area Manager for Xcel Energy, Brad McCloud.

That’s Xcel’s Brad Mccloud on how Xcel is transitioning to cleaner energy. GJ Chamber of Commerce board chair, Andrew Golike says it’s time to advance new technology right here in our own backyard.

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Golike added “See it as an opportunity to bring all the stakeholders to the table and engage in the next steps in sustainable energy production.”

For years Grand Junction was notorious for its boom-bust cycles tied to natural gas and coal. For this year’s annual Energy Summit participants are moving past that, talking about things like biofuels facility or geothermal lab right here at CMU. If most could describe it in one word:

“Exciting! About 80 miles of underground really driving down their cost of energy right here at CMU” Golike uttered.

There’s even talk of a molten salt energy storage unit. The unit would use liquid salt to store thermal energy for wind and solar power and help stabilize power grids.

Mcleod stated “All of those option are parts of what we can put in the energy portfolio. We need to have on demand options as well.”

Different tables may come up with unique ideas to help improve energy, but the common goal is one and the same.

“We want a sustainable and reliable energy portfolio for Western Colorado” Golike mentioned.