Nuclear Energy Proposal Divides Colorado Democrats And Environmental Groups

By Michael Booth | The Colorado Sun

A major effort to smooth the way for a return to nuclear-generated power in Colorado gets a first hearing Thursday in a legislative committee, as boosters of the out-of-favor technology claim growing energy demands and better design prove the time is right for a revival. 

The state’s longstanding coalition of nonprofit groups that advocate for environmental and economic justice, meanwhile, vow a united front against the nuclear-friendly effort, and say some of their allies have betrayed the clean energy cause in favor of risky economic development. 

House Bill 1337, up for debate Thursday afternoon at the House Energy and Environment Committee, would create a permitting czar in state government to speed complex nuclear development, allow shareholder-owned utilities to charge customers for up to $20 million in nuclear research expenses, and encourage cities to step forward to host the first new power plants. 

“The state is really on quite a cliff when it comes to the amount of energy that we need compared to the amount that is capable of being produced,” said Jesse Braughton, with the lobbying and policy firm 3015 that has been working on the bill with sponsors and Xcel Energy. 

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