Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) requested SB 26-022 to delay the closure of the Nixon Coal power plant beyond the promised closing date of 2029. In 2020, it made a commitment to retire the plant by the end of 2029, a target it failed to achieve and had no plan to achieve. CSU should not be awarded a free pass.
The delay should not be granted in light of the broken trust. However, if the legislature decides to allow an extension, the minimum following conditions should apply:
· A detailed plan for retirement and replacement, including a plan for the reuse of Nixon’s connection to the grid.
· Clear accountability with specific consequences for failing to adhere to the plan and, if targets are missed, a state oversight committee designated to assume control until CSU is on track.
· Benchmarks with regular evaluations on progress.
· Communication and transparency including progress or problems conveyed to the community in a timely clear manner.
· Respect for community involvement and input, with community suggestions and ideas taken under serious consideration.
· Focus on hyper local transmission since accessing power from a long distance is too expensive to be viable. Rooftop solar and batteries for buildings and homes and upgrading local transmission lines should be part of the plan thus emphasizing local power generation. Pumped hydro should also be considered. Hyper local generation keeps the investment, spending and value local.
Legislatures: demand CSU accountability!