Beyond Coal Colorado

In Colorado, we are working to phase out two older, dirtier existing coal plants in the greater Denver/Boulder metro area, plants to be replaced with clean, renewable energy sources.

Working with a wide variety of community partners, Sierra Club is working to have Xcel Energy commit to phasing out the Valmont coal plant in Boulder and/or the Cherokee coal plant in Denver to meet both the state's 20% RES standard and Governor Ritter's climate action plan for 80% CO2 reduction by 2050. By influencing state administrative policy on coal, both coal plant's "Title V" air quality permits, ongoing municipal franchise agreements and Xcel's Resource Plan to be submitted next year to the Public Utilities Commission, we plan to make Xcel decide that burning coal is not a viable option for running these old, dirty plants.

Take Action

On November 19, Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission will hold a public hearing, as requested by Sierra Club and partner groups, to hear public comments about Xcel Energy's application to renew an air pollution permit (called a Title V permit) for the old, dirty Cherokee coal plant located in northern Denver. We need everyone in the front range area to attend the hearing and speak out against the continuation of an air pollution permit for this dirty coal plant.

WHEN/WHERE: November 19, 6:00 PM, AQCC center at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver CO 80246, Sabin Conference Room

Specifically, we hope you can tell the commissioners that: (A) The EPA has found carbon to be an endangerment to public health that needs to be addressed at the federal and state level, including inproved emissions monitoring standards, (B) The Cherokee coal plant in north Denver is a major contributor to carbon and to other air pollutants that effect the health of local residents and the broader community, and (C) This coal plant needs to be phased out quickly from being a coal plant, not sometime in the distant future, to be retooled with natural gas, during which time Xcel Energy needs to concurrently significantly increase the amount of clean, renewable wind and solar power it provides in Colorado to meet the state's 20% RES standard by 2020.

Our Bottom Line: The AQCC commissioners should not approve the air pollution permit for more coal, they should instead work with Xcel Energy in a new permit for a natural gas plant in the immediate future. 

For more information, contact roger.singer@sierraclub.org. See you there!

Blog Updates