149: Burning Coal Past 2030 Deadline - Colorado Springs Asks for Extension

149: Burning Coal Past 2030 Deadline - Colorado Springs Asks for Extension

From Peak Environment by Dave Gardner

February 25, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 149

About this episode

This episode discusses Colorado Springs Utilities' request to extend the operation of its coal-fired power plant beyond the 2030 deadline and the opposition from environmental groups.

Colorado Springs Utilities wants to delay closing its last coal-fired powerplant. CSU is currently obligated under its clean energy plan to close its Ray Nixon plant by the end of 2029 in order to meet a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030. It claims the extension is necessary because it is too costly to meet the current deadline. Learn about proposed legislation that would allow the plant to continue operating up to an extra ten years, and why many environmental groups oppose it. This episode’s guests: Jim Lockhart, conservation chair of Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club Ciara Guerrero, Colorado Springs team coordinator for 350 Colorado Olivia West, environmental organizer for Sierra Club and Green Corps LEARN MORE: Colorado Springs Utilities Enlists State Lawmakers To Keep Ray Nixon Power Plant Running Into 2030 – CPR news story: https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/13/colorado-springs-ray-nixon-power-plant-legislation/ Update on the Nixon Plant Decommission – Sierra Club update…

People in this episode

Guests: Jim Lockhart, Ciara Guerrero, Olivia West

Topics covered

  • coal
  • clean energy
  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • environmental legislation

Keywords

  • Colorado Springs
  • Ray Nixon plant
  • Sierra Club
  • 350 Colorado

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak region

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