Colorado congressman seeks order to keep state’s largest coal plant open

Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd is urging Energy Secretary Chris Wright to issue an emergency order to keep the two units at the Comanche power plant operational. Hurd believes that shutting down the coal facility in Pueblo County as planned could lead to an energy shortfall in the state.

Representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Pueblo County, Hurd expressed concerns in a letter addressed to Wright that the rush to decommission the plant could leave Colorado without reliable sources of electricity.

Xcel Energy has already closed one unit at the Comanche facility and plans to close another by the end of the year, with the final unit scheduled to shut down by 2030. However, Comanche 3, the largest generating unit in Colorado, has been facing operational issues and has not been running since mid-August.

While Xcel Energy intends to replace the coal plant with renewable energy sources, some local leaders in Pueblo County argue that the closure of the plant will result in job losses and a decline in tax revenue. They suggest replacing the plant with natural gas or small nuclear reactors instead.

In light of these concerns, the Pueblo County commissioners have requested President Donald Trump and Energy Secretary Wright to order the continued operation of the coal plant until a suitable replacement is available.

The Comanche power plant currently contributes around $200 million in economic activity and $31 million in property tax revenue annually, according to a report by the Pueblo advisory committee.

While the Department of Energy is considering the situation, Xcel Energy spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo stated that they will comply with any orders to extend the operation of the coal plant if required.

However, not everyone shares the same view, with Adams County commissioner Emma Pinter criticizing Hurd’s efforts to keep the coal plant running, stating that it will cost Coloradans unnecessary expenses.

As discussions continue about Colorado’s energy future, the fate of the Comanche power plant remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing debate between environmental concerns and economic impacts.