Colorado Springs Utilities Delays Vote on Early Retirement Date for Martin Drake Coal Plant

Colorado Springs, CO -- This afternoon, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) chose not to vote to accelerate the closure of the Martin Drake coal plant, located downtown. Despite strong public and business support for early closure, the CSU Board said they need more details about the costs of operating the aging coal plant even as other cities and utilities throughout the country have begun transitioning to new, clean energy generation.

Colorado Springs is the last city in Colorado with a coal plant operating downtown, and after today’s decision that may be the case for another 17 years. A new study has also found that Drake is the least efficient coal plant operating in the state.

The dangerous pollutants released from Drake’s smokestacks have always been a cause for concern. Now, it’s clear that investing in new, clean energy infrastructure will prepare Colorado Springs for a changing energy market, help secure affordable and stable electricity rates for current and future residents, and make the city attractive for new business growth.

Daphne Greenwood, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at UCCS said, "Colorado Springs wants to attract clean businesses that provide high quality jobs. Having an old and inefficient coal plant polluting the downtown puts us at a serious disadvantage. Colorado Springs Utilities' decision to delay a vote on the Drake coal plant closure seems to ignore the fact that the clock is ticking. Other cities continue to overtake us with profitable investments in clean energy infrastructure. I hope we will stop ‘looking in the rear view mirror’ at investments made in old technologies, and begin to welcome innovations that support strong, sustainable economies."

Garett Reppenhagen, Rocky Mountain Director of Vet Voice Foundation said, "As a military veteran that deployed as a US Army sniper in Iraq, I didn't serve our communities to have their public health jeopardized by the last coal power plant in an urban area in the state of Colorado. The Pentagon has determined climate change is a threat multiplier for terrorism. Why would we keep ourselves tied to a dirty fossil fuel plant that is overdue for retirement?"

Zach Pierce, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign said, “The costs of clean energy and new battery storage technologies are now competitive with fossil fuels, and are in some cases even more affordable. That is why cities and utilities around the country are closing down old coal plants. After deciding to delay the vote to retire Drake, it’s important that Colorado Springs Utilities be open and transparent about the financial and public health costs of keeping the coal plant open and to set a clear timeline for a new retirement vote.”