Pueblo leaders and advocates announce the creation of Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: February 5, 2025

Pueblo leaders and advocates announce the creation of ‘Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition’

Organization seeks to ensure a just transition for Pueblo as it faces closure of coal-fired Comanche Unit 3

Pueblo, CO – As Pueblo faces the closure of the coal-fired Comanche Unit 3 power plant, local business, economic development, and labor leaders announce the formation of the “Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition” (C4). The 501(c)4 organization will seek to stem the potential loss of tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact per year. The plant is scheduled to be shuttered by the beginning of 2031.

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. Simon Tafoya, Principal at consulting firm Acero Strategies, is guiding the organization to fulfill this mission.

Founding Board Member and CEO of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation Jeff Shaw said, “This effort will support Pueblo in taking advantage of its unique position to benefit from the energy transition with its strategic assets, including educational and workforce institutions, established rail and transmission connections, and a vibrant community.”

The creation of C4 follows a more than 10-month long process through which the Pueblo Innovative Energy Study Advisory Committee (PIESAC) issued a report highlighting the economic impact of the early closure of Comanche Unit 3 by 2031. More specifically, the combined closure of Pueblo’s coal-fired plants would result in a loss of $31 million per year in tax revenue for Pueblo County—20% of the county’s total tax receipts—totaling over $1 billion in forgone tax revenues over 39 years. Additionally, the closure would eliminate nearly 100 direct jobs and 400 indirect jobs, resulting in almost $200 million in lost economic activity. The study recommended XCEL Energy prioritize Advanced Nuclear and Natural Gas with Carbon Capture to replace lost jobs and tax revenue in upcoming regulatory reviews to support a true just transition for Pueblo. For the full report, visit: https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Xcel%20Energy%20Pueblo%20Generation%20Study%20Report.pdf

“Pueblo County has sacrificed more than any other county in Colorado to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing about 20% of the state’s total reduction,” said Sara Blackhurst, CEO of Action Colorado. “We cannot sit idly by and let the Comanche Power Plant closure drain our community. Now is time for coal communities like Pueblo to demand a Just Transition that ensures our economic future,” she added.

Local labor leaders have also thrown their support behind the organization highlighting its readiness to provide the workforce and training necessary. “Advanced nuclear technology is not just about energy; it's about economic development and job creation, said Jerry Bellah, International Vice President of I.B.E.W. “Our members are skilled professionals who deserve opportunities to work in safe, high-paying jobs”, he added.

For more information on Cleaner Coal Communities Coalition, visit www.pueblosenergytransition.org