Colorado’s Comanche Coal Plant Faces Potential Extended Operation Amid Controversy
As Colorado grapples with energy transitions, a crucial decision looms over the future of the Comanche coal plant in Pueblo. The state, alongside Xcel Energy, has petitioned the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to permit Unit 2 of this plant to remain operational past its scheduled December retirement. This proposal has sparked a debate, highlighting potential impacts on utility bills and air quality for local communities.
The request coincides with reports of the Trump administration considering emergency measures under the Federal Power Act 202(c) to prolong the operation of coal plants, including those in Colorado. Should the PUC approve the extension for Comanche 2, it is urged to implement operational constraints to mitigate negative effects on residents and ratepayers.
Recently, the PUC made a decision concerning Phase I of Xcel’s Just Transition Solicitation, a regulatory effort to transition from coal to renewable resources while addressing the socio-economic impacts on affected communities. However, this decision fell short of addressing concerns from the Environmental Justice Coalition, which includes organizations such as Vote Solar, Roots to Resilience, and GreenLatinos. These groups advocate for a swift transition to renewable energy sources and have suggested the establishment of a renewable energy park in Pueblo.
Despite these propositions, the PUC did not instruct Xcel to explore this idea nor did it limit gas plant bids in Pueblo during the next phase of the case. Additionally, the commission consented to Xcel’s proposal to extend the lifespan of a unit at the Cherokee gas plant in North Denver, despite objections from the Environmental Justice Coalition.
Jamie Valdez, Colorado Transportation and Energy Advocate with GreenLatinos, expressed concern: “The health and wellbeing of Pueblo residents are once again being disregarded by Xcel and the state. Keeping polluting coal plants online without strong commitments to community protections and operational limits will pile on to the burdens my community experiences, like dirty air and expensive energy bills. We need administrative actions that truly center environmental justice and a just transition.”
Claudine Custodio, Vote Solar’s Regulatory Director for the Interior West, criticized the reliance on outdated technology, stating, “Keeping outdated coal plants on life support doesn’t make Colorado’s grid more reliable; it just burdens families and businesses with higher bills while utilities rake in profits. Instead of wasting money on yesterday’s technology, we should be investing in clean energy solutions, like solar and storage, that keep energy both reliable and affordable for all communities across Colorado.”
Portia Prescott, regional president of the Rocky Mountain NAACP CO-WY-MT, emphasized the importance of community input: “After the PUC failed to address the needs of community members in the first phase of the just transition proceeding, we are now faced with a request to keep Comanche 2 open beyond its retirement deadline. It is unacceptable to prolong the impacts of fossil fuel plants while refusing to allow community members to chart the course for what comes next. It is time to turn the page on coal and invest in renewable resources that will allow communities like Pueblo to prosper.”
Daniel Pontón Aronoff, Interior West Policy Manager for GRID Alternatives, advocated for a focus on renewable energy: “What we need right now more than ever is commitment to real, clean energy solutions that will yield a truly just transition, lower energy bills, and good jobs. The petition to keep Comanche 2 open is yet another mistake in looking to dirty, expensive technology for a solution instead of clean energy. We are hopeful that the PUC will commit to protecting the community from false solutions by exclusively approving clean energy resources in phase 2 of the JTS.”
Michael Hiatt, deputy managing attorney with Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain Office, underscored the necessity of adhering to planned retirements: “The state of Colorado, the PUC, and Xcel Energy have an obligation to retire Comanche 2 at the end of this year, and they should move forward with this long-planned retirement. Continuing to operate heavily polluting and expensive coal units past their retirement deadlines is unwise and not necessary. The PUC also cannot let this petition distract it from its job of ensuring a truly just transition for the Pueblo community when this coal plant retires.”
Original Story at earthjustice.org