Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government

Closing a coal-fired power plant in Pueblo to meet Colorado climate goals is easier said than done

This much is certain: Comanche 3 ­— Xcel Energy’s $1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in Pueblo — is going to close. When and how are now issues of intense debate before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The fate of the plant — the state’s largest single emitter of carbon dioxide — is key to Colorado […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Coloradans, Economy, Energy, Environment, Growth, News, Outdoors

Xcel Energy may fill the hole left by closing its Hayden coal-fired power plant with salt. And fish.

There is molten salt in the town of Hayden’s future – maybe trout, too – but almost definitely molten salt. The idea of using molten salt energy storage to fill part of the gap in employment and taxes left by the planned closure of the Routt County town’s coal-fired power plant is being planned by […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Education, Energy, Environment, News

In rural Colorado, one town is looking to its community college to help survive the end of coal

By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado Even in the dark of night, chalky smoke from the coal power plant looms over Craig. For generations, coal has been a constant in this northwestern Colorado city. But by 2030, the Craig Station stacks will go quiet as Colorado shifts to renewable energy. Coal has fueled not only Colorado’s […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Opinion: Colorado’s “just transition” for coal communities needs infrastructure investments

Coal mining and coal-powered electricity have supplied Colorado with stable jobs and essential energy resources for generations. As our state’s energy economy transitions to 100% renewables by 2040, policymakers are striving to ensure that coal workers and their communities are given new access to jobs and economic opportunity – a goal that the state has […]