Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition Lauds Final Signature of Bill Supporting Innovative and Clean Energy in Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: April 1, 2025

Contact: cleanercoalcommunitiescoalition@gmail.com

Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition Applauds Final Signature of Bill Supporting Innovative and Clean Energy in Colorado

Clean energy bill supports just transition goals for Pueblo as it faces closure of coal-fired plants

Pueblo, CO – As Pueblo faces the closure of the coal-fired Comanche Unit 3 power plant by 2031, the Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition welcomes the Governor Jared Polis signing House Bill 25-1040 recognizing that zero-emission Advanced Nuclear Energy is in fact Clean Energy. The bill, which passed the full Colorado Senate by an overwhelming vote of 29-5 had previously passed the full Colorado House by a vote of 43-18. It was sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez (D) and Ty Winter (R) and Senators Dylan Roberts (D) and Larry Liston (R).

The news comes as Xcel Energy seeks to replace the electric generation at Comanche Unit 3. The new law recognizes that Advanced Nuclear can produce safe, reliable and clean energy that supports Colorado’s goals of net-zero emissions. The new law also ensures that Pueblo, a community transitioning away from coal generation, will benefit from property tax should a facility be built in Pueblo County.

“We are excited that workers across Colorado may have a chance at building and operating the next generation of energy production in the United States, all while making wages that support their families and the communities we live in,” said Jerry Bellah, Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 8th District. “Our hope is that we can work collaboratively with government policy makers and regulators to ensure this becomes a reality”, he added.

While the new law will not require or guarantee an Advanced Nuclear facility is built in Pueblo or Colorado, the law lays the framework that would ensure that it remains a real possibility to bring high paying jobs and investment to transitioning coal communities. As evidence, a recent study released by the Pueblo Innovative Energy Study Advisory Committee concluded that a 500-megawatt small modular reactor could create more than 200 high paying jobs and replace the current $31 million tax base that will be lost after the closure of Comanche Station with upward of $90 million in tax base.

“This new law gives Pueblo an opportunity to grow our economy and incredible workforce as we seek a feasible and viable replacement for the energy generation at Comanche,” said Jeff Shaw, President and CEO of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation. “Now the work begins to ensure Pueblo is a place where investment in new technology takes place”, he added.

Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition is focused on a Just Transition for Pueblo, CO as it faces the closure of Comanche Unit 3. The entity’s mission is “To ensure that transitioning coal communities are no worse off with the closure of coal facilities and are able to replace the coal generation and the lost tax-base with high-paying and highly skilled jobs so that coal communities have an opportunity to prosper, grow, and reimagine their local economies.”

For more information visit: www.pueblosenergytransition.org

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