Colorado Responds To Federal Coal Extension Orders With New Emissions Requirements

By Scott Weiser | The Denver Gazette

Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a bill in reaction to orders from the U.S. Department of Energy to keep older coal units online.

The federal government’s instructions applied to Craig Unit 1 in Colorado, one of five coal units affected nationwide.

The state legislation requires installation of modern pollution controls and cost reporting for any Colorado coal-fired power plants that continue operating beyond planned retirement dates.

The measure, House Bill 26-1226, also directs the Public Utilities Commission to support resource planning consistent with state clean energy goals.

The legislation signed June 4 targets qualifying coal units that emitted significant nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide in 2024. It requires the Air Quality Control Commission to adopt emission limits and mandates installation of advanced controls, such as selective catalytic reduction for nitrogen oxides and enhanced flue gas desulfurization systems for sulfur dioxide on any such units still operating starting in 2037.

Supporters argued that the legislation is necessary amid the federal government’s push to preserve the coal industry, while critics said it’s another in a long line of policies that go after energy sources that are, in fact, stable.

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