From coal transition to data centers: JOLT summit heads to Grand Junction
By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice
Before JOLT became an annual summit, local leaders across Northwest Colorado were wrestling with a difficult question: What comes after coal?
Now they’re holding their fourth summit, and this year’s program includes discussions on geothermal energy, data centers, critical minerals, electric cooperative power supplies, workforce development and Colorado River issues.
"I don't think that with JOLT, the mission has changed," said Ray Beck, chairman of JOLT — Joint Organizations Leading Transition. "We're still trying to educate people on different sources of energy."
Founded by local officials, educators and industry leaders, JOLT was created as Northwest Colorado communities searched for answers about economic transition and long-term op...

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