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.
