The Trump administration’s recent actions regarding state anti-pollution policies have spurred controversy, particularly concerning Colorado’s coal power plants. This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed Colorado that it cannot impose deadlines for the closure of coal power plants under the Clean Air Act rules.
The ruling has immediate implications for Colorado Springs Utilities, which is now contemplating a delay in the closure of its Nixon 1 unit in Fountain, originally set for December 2029. Environmentalists are alarmed, labeling the EPA’s decision as a significant threat to Colorado’s efforts to combat pollution.
Jeremy Nichols from the Center for Biological Diversity expressed concern, stating, “This is a major slap in the face to the state’s ability to protect clean air on its terms.” He emphasized the fear that this ruling could signal a larger assault on Colorado’s commitment to reducing reliance on coal power.
While Colorado Springs Utilities has not made a formal decision to extend the closure date of Nixon 1, they are motivated by the EPA’s recent notice. The EPA’s Federal Register statement revealed that Colorado Springs Utilities requested more flexibility regarding Nixon’s closure due to uncertainties surrounding the availability of alternative energy sources by 2029.
The spokesperson for Colorado Springs Utilities remarked, “Moving forward with the 2029 date poses serious reliability challenges and we are in discussions with the state on how best to address this.” The utility is seeking a transition to cleaner energy that accommodates current cost and reliability challenges.
Meanwhile, Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest power generator, emphasized that the EPA’s recent action does not directly affect its resource plans. “We continue to make significant progress towards our emission reduction goals approved by the state, which would necessitate the retirement of our coal units by 2030,” a company spokesperson stated.
The EPA’s Region 8 office announced a mixed response to Colorado’s state implementation plan (SIP) designed to comply with federal haze reduction requirements. The SIP includes plans for reducing pollutants that contribute to humanmade haze in national parks. According to the EPA ruling, Colorado cannot include deadlines for the closure of the six remaining coal plants in its latest SIP.
Cyrus Western, the regional administrator of the EPA, indicated in a telephone interview that there would not be enforced closures of coal-fired units due to federal mandates. He stated, “We’ve made it really clear that these shutdowns are not going to happen on our watch, and the Clean Air Act does not allow for these federal steps to be shut down against the will of the power generation owner.”
This decision occurs despite Colorado’s legislative direction mandating coal plant closures to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and comply with EPA ozone limits. When asked about the possibility of further federal intervention in state environmental regulations, Western clarified that the recent decision pertains only to the haze rule.
He expressed confidence that Colorado could meet federal haze standards without the scheduled shutdowns of coal plants. The Trump administration has maintained that coal power may serve as a more cost-effective and dependable source of baseline energy compared to intermittent renewable sources.
Western indicated that the growing electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers and other heavy users necessitates a reliance on fossil fuels for consistent power generation. He pointed out, “There are a lot of conversations that should have happened under previous governments to really continue to work with coal, rather than simply mandating shutdowns.”
However, environmental advocates are alarmed by the Trump administration’s inclination to favor fossil fuel power plants. They’ve observed similar directives in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, with fears that Colorado could face similar mandates. Moreover, Trump had previously issued executive orders promoting coal mining and warned states about potential challenges to state-level environmental laws deemed overreaches.
Surbhi Sarang, a clean power attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, remarked on the implications of the EPA ruling, stating it could represent a broader attempt to undermine state autonomy in environmental policymaking.
Officials from Colorado’s Air Pollution Control Division reiterated that state regulations will continue to enforce retirement dates for coal plants despite the EPA’s recent ruling. Division director Michael Ogletree stated, “We are not impacted by the EPA’s proposed partial disapproval of Colorado’s ambitious and protective regional haze plan.”
He further emphasized that the state is committed to transitioning from coal regardless of federal decisions, noting that utilities are already moving away from coal due to economic factors.
“Many coal plants have already shut down or are on track to retire — driven by economics and cost savings for consumers, not federal mandates,” Ogletree asserted.
Despite the federal ruling, the impending transition away from coal power appears to remain steadfast. Both Colorado Springs Utilities and environmental advocates have voiced concerns that the Trump administration’s policies may complicate the development of renewable energy sources.
These new policies could inflate the costs associated with solar and wind energy projects, as highlighted by the recent congressional decision that cuts clean energy development credits and increases tariffs on imported solar panels.
Nichols warned, “Unless the state steps up to defend its rules and transition from coal, we’re going to get rolled by fossil fuel zealots.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has pledged to defend the state’s robust climate change measures and clean energy legislation. Furthermore, the office of Governor Jared Polis has reassured that the regional EPA decision will not significantly impact utility planning.
“Colorado utilities have their own ambitious plans to reduce costs, including retiring costly coal plants to transition to more stable clean energy, and lower costs,” a spokesperson for the governor stated.
As Colorado navigates the challenges posed by federal decisions, the ongoing dialogue between environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and energy reliability will play a critical role in shaping the future of energy in the state.
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