Pueblo County commissioners express concern about possible early closing of Xcel’s Comanche #3 power plant
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) The Comanche #3 coal-fired power plant was scheduled for closure by 2040 but now may shut down sooner creating economic issues for the area, a county commissioner said Tuesday.
Commissioner Garrison Ortiz told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the early closure possibility is based not on specific information, but on chatter that we ve heard from political groups that the plant could be targeted.
Speaking at Tuesday s regular board meeting, Ortiz voiced concern about the possibility, saying that it would eliminate high-paying jobs and property tax revenue that would fund several important capital improvement projects.
Pueblo County Commissioners discussed the possible loss of $15 million in revenue that could result if Xcel Energy’s Comanche 3 Power Plant is forced to close.
“Comanche 3 is the only coal-fired plant in the state of Colorado” that has not been earmarked for closure, said Garrison Ortiz, commission chair. “I think for many reasons it is a little bit of a target right now for closure.”
Ortiz said he and other commissioners have heard some chatter and general news that the plant is the focus of some political and environmental groups.
Xcel will present an electric resource plan to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission next month that will present the resources needed to meet customer demand and achieve at least an 80 percent carbon reduction from 2005 levels, said Michelle Aguayo, Xcel media relations representative.