As coal recedes in Colorado, hope lingers that Craig can continue to generate electricity, this time nuclear. It makes sense — until the numbers are examined.

As coal recedes in Colorado, hope lingers that Craig can continue to generate electricity, this time nuclear. It makes sense — until the numbers are examined.
Colorado lawmakers in 2022 won’t match the breadth and depth of their legislative decarbonizing efforts in 2019 and 2021. But meaningful work is underway.
Utilities have figured out how to integrate high levels of renewables, but not 100%. Until they do, nuclear energy will be on the table, despite the high cost.
Colorado will be seriously rethinking the risk of wildfire in locations where upwards of 80% of the state’s residents live as temperatures rise.
Electricity consumers will save 4% to 5% when Colroado utilities join organized energy markets—maybe more. What will it take to get there in the next 8 years?
A Colorado state senator sees a new opening in conservative circles for ideas to decarbonize the state’s economy at an even more brisk pace.
Demand for natural gas in buildings would be further crimped if a bill considered in Colorado gets passed. One provision puts a social cost on methane.
Xcel Energy has plans for $1.7 billion to build 560 miles of new transmission to deliver renewable electricity from eastern Colorado to the Front Range by 2027.
As unsexy as it sounds, an energy imbalance market is a necessary but important first step toward deep decarbonization of Colorado’s electricity and economy.