Colorado regulators agreed Thursday that Xcel Energy Inc. to be another coal-fired power unit to turn in Denver to run on natural gas as part of its plan to reduce emissions, an option that was not the first or second choice utility.
The fate of 4 Cherokee was one of the most controversial parts of Xcel’s plan to nitrogen oxide emissions by 2018 as required under a new state law. The new Clean Air Act, Clean Jobs focused on helping Colorado to meet federal clean air rules.
The Public Utilities Commission previously approved other parts of Xcel’s plan that would close five other coal-fired units in Denver and Boulder, in Denver a switch to run on natural gas, emissions controls and add units in Brush and Hayden.
Xcel proposed pension Cherokee 4 August 2022 as part of its plan, but opponents say it would not state the law of 2018 deadline.
Xcel then suggested adding emissions controls at Cherokee 4, while still running on coal, saying it would cost customers less than other options.
State health officials and the Governor’s Energy Office supported Cherokee retired in April 2017 and the construction of a new unit that runs on natural gas.
The PUC members agreed Thursday on the three fuel-switching proposal, partly because all options open for what to Colorado energy after 2018 leaves.
Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz said the plan would be a significant improvement in air quality.
“We are hopeful that we plan to work, but we will need to carefully review their order to determine whether we think it will work for our customers and to make sure we can plan to perform” he said in a written statement.
Xcel master plan is expected to cost around 1.4 billion U.S. dollars. Customers were an estimated 2.4 percent average annual increase seen in their monthly bills.
America’s Natural Gas Alliance, of which 34 natural gas exploration and production companies represented, welcomed the decision of the PUC Thursday.
source:abcnews
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