149: Burning Coal Past 2030 Deadline - Colorado Springs Asks for Extension

149: Burning Coal Past 2030 Deadline - Colorado Springs Asks for Extension

Author: Dave Gardner February 25, 2026 Duration: 34:23
Peak Environment
SocietySociety & CultureCultureFitnessHealthHealth & Fitness

Colorado Springs Utilities wants to delay closing its last coal-fired powerplant. CSU is currently obligated under its clean energy plan to close its Ray Nixon plant by the end of 2029 in order to meet a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. It claims the extension is necessary because it is too costly to meet the current deadline. Learn about proposed legislation that would allow the plant to continue operating up to an extra ten years, and why many environmental groups oppose it. This episode’s guests:

Jim Lockhart, conservation chair of Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club

Ciara Guerrero, Colorado Springs team coordinator for 350 Colorado

Olivia West, environmental organizer for Sierra Club and Green Corps

LEARN MORE:

Colorado Springs Utilities Enlists State Lawmakers To Keep Ray Nixon Power Plant Running Into 2030 – CPR news story: https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/13/colorado-springs-ray-nixon-power-plant-legislation/

Update on the Nixon Plant Decommission – Sierra Club update: https://www.sierraclub.org/colorado/pikes-peak/february-2026#:~:text=Update%20on%20the%20Nixon%20Plant%20Decommission&text=CSU%20is%20currently%20obligated%20under,emissions%20by%2080%25%20by%202030

SB26-022 - Challenge Meeting 2030 Emissions Reduction Goals: https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/110720/download

Clean Energy for Colorado Petition: https://forms.gle/9eiwmh52x463DJuz9

HB26-1030 - Data Center & Utility Modernization: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb26-1030

350 Colorado Springs: https://350colorado.org/colorado-springs/

Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/colorado/pikes-peak

Subscribe to Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future Email Updates: https://peakalliance.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8b6c85fea7b70fac39688c409&id=bbba41d918

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future https://peakallianceco.org/

Pikes Peak Permaculture https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

https://350colorado.org/

GrowthBusters https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.


Hosted by Dave Gardner, Peak Environment digs into the real-world choices and conversations shaping life in the Pikes Peak Region. This isn't a distant global overview, but a local look at how environmental care weaves into the fabric of our community, from the trails we hike to the policies our leaders debate. Each episode explores the intersection of our society and our surroundings, considering how sustainable practices impact both our physical health and our cultural values. You'll hear from neighbors, advocates, and experts discussing practical steps for stewardship, the nuances of building a resilient local economy, and the ongoing work toward balanced public policy. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded dialogue that connects personal fitness and well-being directly to the health of the place we call home. Find this podcast for a deeper understanding of what it means to live well, right here.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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