Trump Administration Forces Colorado Coal Plant to Stay Open, Could Cost Millions
In northwest Colorado, the Trump administration ordered an aging coal-fired power plant to stay open past its scheduled retirement date, raising alarms over rising costs for electricity customers. The move, confirmed by federal and state officials, came just one day before Unit 1 at the Craig Station coal plant was set to shut down and opponents warn it could saddle ratepayers with millions of dollars in extra expenses.
The abrupt intervention escalates tensions between federal energy policy and Colorado’s long-planned coal retirement schedule. Gov. Jared Polis and state energy officials pushed back, saying there is no real emergency and that the order undermines local energy planning.
According to the Department of Energy, Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked emergency powers under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to delay the shutdown, citing concerns about electricity shortages in the Northwestern grid this winter. The order keeps Craig Unit 1 operational through at least March 30, 2026, with potential extensions.
But Colorado officials argue the plant isn’t even operational now and would require costly repairs to generate power, costs that would likely be passed on to customers. Analysis by energy consultants estimates that running the unit could cost about $85 million a year or more.
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“This order will pass tens of millions in costs to Colorado ratepayers, in order to keep a coal plant open that is broken and not needed,” Gov. Polis said in a statement.
Critics say this action mirrors other Trump administration orders forcing coal plants in Indiana, Michigan and Washington to stay open despite planned retirements.
The practical outcome could be higher utility bills and a delay in Colorado’s transition to cleaner energy sources. Next up will be whether local regulators or environmental groups challenge the legality of the emergency order in court.
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