March 2026
We Must Break Up with Coal
Update on the Nixon Plant Decommission by Jim Lockhart
State Senator Marc Snyder (SD 12), State Representative Amy Paschal (HD 18), and House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell (HD 20) have introduced legislation that would allow Colorado Springs Utilities to ask for an extension of the current end of 2029 deadline to close the Ray Nixon coal power plant. CSU claims that it cannot meet the current deadline due to the cost of converting to renewables (see blog), but a recent Sierra Club-commissioned study suggests that continued reliance on coal is actually a more expensive alternative over the long run. If all other coal-fired power plants close, as presently proposed, the cost of delivering coal to Nixon can only increase further. A recent Pikes Peak Bulletin news article suggests that a major contributing factor to CSU’s difficulty in meeting its clean energy plan goals is a push to bring data centers to Colorado Springs. According to this article, CSU has received at least 10 requests for power from data centers between July 2024 and February 2026, for a total of 1,370 megawatts of power, more than five times the amount of electricity the Nixon plant produces.
SB 26-022 would allow CSU to propose a plan to achieve an 80% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2040, a potential ten-year extension, and would not allow the Air Quality Control Commission or Air Pollution Division to impose extension conditions if they impact reliability or increase rates by more than 1.5%. The bill has been assigned to the State Senate Transportation and Energy Committee but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. Both Senator Snyder and Representative Paschal seem concerned that CSU has provided no firm information about how it plans to meet the 80% decrease.
A related bill, HB 26-1226 , would require CSU to install air pollution controls on the Nixon plant if it stays open past its current retirement date. The plant does not have controls for NOx (nitrous oxides), which is linked to chronic respiratory disease, cancer, and premature mortality. CSU was granted a waiver for those controls because the plant was expected to close by the end of 2029. The bill has passed out of the House Energy and Environment Committee. A special thank you to Representative Paschal for her support of this bill in committee!
On February 20th, Pikes Peak Group Conservation Chair Jim Lockhart, Green Corps representative Olivia West, and .350 Colorado representative Ciara Guerrero participated in a Studio 809 podcast on the proposed Nixon plant extension moderated by Dave Gardner. It can be heard here.
Sierra Club Lobby Day 2026
Looking to make a difference at the Colorado Legislature this year? Join the Pikes Peak Group for the Sierra Club Lobby Day at the State Capitol on March 9, 2026 from 8 AM-2 PM. Please register here. If you are interested in carpooling to Denver, contact Jim.
To see what legislation Sierra Club Colorado is following this session, please refer to our Legislative page.
Hope to see you at Lobby Day!
March News
Conservation Report
By Jim Lockhart
For updates on the group’s campaigns and issues, please click here.
Wildlife Education Event and Fundraiser
On March 24th, from 4-6pm, The Pikes Peak Group will be holding a Wildlife Educational Event at Seven’s Gate Taproom (77 S 7th St.). $1 from every draft will be donated to the Pikes Peak Group. Come thirsty and bring yourself, your friends, and your enthusiasm for Rock Mountain wildlife. Hope to see you there!
Sierra Club in the Media!
On February 20th, Pikes Peak Group Conservation Chair Jim Lockhart, Green Corps representative Olivia West, and 350 Colorado representative Ciara Guerrero participated in a Studio 809 podcast on the proposed Nixon plant extension moderated by Dave Gardner. Listen to it here.
Podcast Info:
Burning Coal Past 2030 Deadline - Colorado Springs Asks for Extension
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.
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