Lawmakers from the Colorado Springs area have introduced new legislation that aims to assist utilities facing difficulties in meeting Colorado’s Clean Energy Plan deadlines. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Marc Snyder, Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, Rep. Amy Paschal, and House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell.
If enacted, the legislation would allow utilities to submit a new Clean Energy Plan by the end of 2026 and extend the deadline for finding affordable and reliable replacement power supplies for the coal-fired unit at the Ray Nixon Power Plant. The plant is currently required by state mandate to retire at the end of 2029, but according to supporters of the bill, this deadline cannot be met.
“A mandatory power plant retirement, without reliable, affordable sources of replacement power, will threaten electric reliability and drive already high electric rates even higher,” states the release.
The sponsors say this bill is a result of ongoing collaboration with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure electric reliability and rate stability for customers.
Colorado passed legislation in 2019 requiring utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. The newly proposed legislation seeks to provide more time for utilities to meet these requirements, aiming to help reach long-term goals while maintaining reliability and avoiding increased costs for customers.
“Currently, if we cannot achieve the 2030 target, the law mandates that the state will force utilities to achieve these reductions, without consideration of the costs paid by electric customers or the impacts on reliability,” notes the announcement.
Efforts toward achieving these targets have included filing a Clean Energy Plan in 2021 and retiring facilities such as the Martin Drake Power Plant. Additional projects include completing a 175-megawatt Pike Solar Array and adding a 100-megawatt Jackson Fuller Energy Storage Project.
However, unfavorable market conditions for renewable energy development, limited transmission developments in Colorado, and rising electricity demand have made it difficult for utilities to meet state goals before current deadlines.
In April, one next step involves entering the Southwest Power Pool Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), which is expected to provide access to renewable energy resources at lower prices compared with acquiring them independently. Later in the year, an update to the Sustainable Energy Plan is planned as part of efforts to manage an energy transition that maintains affordability and reliability for residents.
Citizens are encouraged to share their opinions on this proposed legislation through various channels over the coming months by contacting their legislators.
