Coloradans Push Back On Trump Trying To Force Coal On Them - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the pushback from Colorado legislators and environmental groups against the Trump administration’s attempts to keep aging coal power plants operational under a claimed “emergency” order. Specifically, the administration is using a Department of Energy 202(c) order to extend the operation of the Craig 1 coal unit beyond its planned retirement at the end of 2025, despite Colorado’s clean energy goals and prior approvals for renewable projects being blocked. Critics argue this move is unjustified, costly—potentially up to $85 million annually—and harmful to public health and the environment, as it forces Coloradans to endure dirty air and higher energy prices for the profit of others. In response, Colorado legislators introduced HB26-1226, a bill designed to counteract the federal order by increasing transparency on the costs of keeping coal plants running past retirement, requiring modern pollution controls for any coal plants operating after 2030, and directing the Public Utilities Commission to approve new clean energy resources to meet the state’s