Colorado officials submitted a proposal Monday to extend the life of a major coal unit in a bid to prevent electricity prices from spiking.
One of two generating units at Comanche generating station is scheduled to retire at the end of this year, as part of a long-agreed plan to phase out coal from Colorado’s electricity mix. But state officials are now seeking a one-year extension for the unit, after another turbine at the massive coal facility outside Pueblo suffered extensive damage.
Colorado likely could purchase electricity on the wholesale power market to replace the lost generation, but keeping Comanche 2 open will insulate consumers against potential price spikes, particularly in winter, said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor.
“It is more more prudent to have Comanche 2 available than be that dependent on market purchases during the winter,” he said in an interview.
