Coal City, USA?
Will Colorado Springs be the only city in Colorado to have a working coal plant after the 2030 statewide retirement deadline? It could be the reality if the State of Colorado grants the Colorado Springs Utilities their most recent request.
The Colorado Springs Utilities has asked Governor Jared Polis for an extension on the retirement date for the Ray Nixon Coal plant until 2038. This extension would violate both Colorado's Regional Haze Plan and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals , which require all coal plants to close by 2030. This extension could set a statewide precedent and a potential snowball effect for other utilities to ask for extensions for their coal plants as well.
As proponents of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to clean energy to combat climate chaos, the Pikes Peak Group is extremely concerned about this development. Please keep an eye on your inbox for actions you can take to put pressure on the state government and the utilities to keep their commitment to a safe and healthy Colorado.
Conservation Report
By Jim Lockhart
For updates on the group's campaigns and issues, please click here!
Proposed Changes to Solar Power Rates
The City of Colorado Springs is proposing a change to their net metering formula for solar power in the city. Under “net metering” a ratepayer with solar power is charged for electricity received from the grid, but receives a credit when the solar panels produce more electricity than is used and send the excess back to the grid. This proposal would change the credited amount solar owners would receive for excess energy from a flat rate to a time-based rate. This could cost solar owners an extra $50.00 a month OR MORE. In a time when we must act quickly to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, this change has the potential to not only affect current solar owners, but discourage future ones. Solar power provides considerable energy, environmental, and public health benefits and should be encouraged, not discouraged.
A public hearing on the rate change is scheduled for October 14, 2025 at City Council Chambers, 107 North Nevada Avenue. If you own solar, plan on switching in the future, or just want to see the Pikes Peak region grow their solar energy to help combat climate chaos, please plan to attend this meeting and keep an eye out for more information on how you can make a difference in defeating this costly proposal.
Sun Day Celebration
Sierra Club Pikes Peak Group will be celebrating the success of solar energy by participating in the "Sun Day" event this Saturday, September 20th starting at 10AM. This event takes place outside of Poor Richard's Restaurant (324 Tejon Street) We will have a table set up with information about our campaigns and Sierra Club swag. Stop by and see us!
Creek Week El Pomar Clean Up
Join the Pikes Peak Group as we celebrate Creek Week on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 9:15AM by helping clean up our adopted section of the El Pomar creek. Creek Week is the annual multiple-community cleanup of the entire Fountain Creek watershed We will be cleaning that section of Fountain Creek adjacent to El Pomar Youth Sports Center along the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. Please click here to register.
The Pikes Peak Group holds many activist and social events throughout the year. Check out the Chapter Calendar for future events.