DENVER, Colorado regulators agreed Thursday, Xcel Energy Inc. should change another coal-fired power plant unit in Denver that run on natural gas as part of its plan to reduce emissions, an option that is not the first or second choice.
Cherokee 4 fate was one of the most contested areas of Xcel's plan to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 2018 as required under a new law on State. The new Clean Air Clean Jobs Act aimed to help Colorado meet federal clean-air standards.
Public Utilities Commission approved earlier, other parts of the Xcel's plan that would close the five other coal-fired units in Denver and Boulder, alternating a in Denver to run on natural gas, emission controls and add on devices in the brush and Hayden.
Xcel in August proposed departing Cherokee 4 in 2022 as part of his plan, but opponents said that would not meet the governmental law 2018 deadline.
Xcel then proposed to add emission controls on Cherokee 4 while still running the coal, saying it would cost customers less than other options.
State health officials and the Governor's energy Office supported outbound Cherokee 4 in 2017, and build a new device that runs on natural gas.
The PUC three members agreed Thursday to fuel switch proposal, partly because it leaves the option open for what should provide of Colorado energy by 2018.
Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz said the plan would significantly improve air quality.
"We are hopeful that we can make this plan works, but we will need to review their order carefully to determine whether we think it will work for our customers and be confident that we can implement the plan," he said in a written statement.
Xcels overall plan is estimated to cost about $ 1.4 billion. Customers would see an estimated 2.4% average annual increase in their monthly bills.
United States: s NG Alliance, which represents 34 natural gas and mining companies, applauded the PUC decision Thursday.
The Department of Health said the plan approved by PUC would meet the legislative requirements to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from 2008 levels with at least 70% by 2018, but also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and mercury.
John Nielsen of Western Resource Advocates said it made "critical progress" to achieve cleaner air by approving the retirement of more than 500 megawatts of coal-fired generation in the area of Denver but fell short by not specifying a retirement date for Cherokee 4. A fixed pension age date would be in a formal PUC order due Dec. 15.
"The risk remains that the most polluting power plant in the area of Denver could return to active in the coal to the detriment of the health and well-being of people in the area of Denver," said Nielsen.
Even floating Thursday, PUC President Ron Binz idea authorising expenditure for job retraining Centennial coal miners lose jobs because of the PUC decision. Commissioners heard earlier testimony that up to 200 coal mining jobs would be lost.
Routt County Commissioner Doug Monger, President of the associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, said that he appreciated the idea but his region also lose tax revenue on the coal industry is suffering.
"We're having a hard enough time to get through the recession. The cornerstone of our earnings base is outside our energy extraction industry, "said Monger.
He and others are still appalled that the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act were adopted with little input from the coal industry in Northwest Colorado.
-Our small population base in Colorado is not quite sure whether we are part of Utah and Wyoming right now, "said Monger.
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