STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.—Routt County commissioners have voted to join a lawsuit challenging an effort in which Xcel Energy would convert some Front Range coal-burning power plants to natural gas.
The conversion is spurred by a new state law that aims to reduce pollution. Commissioners are concerned the move would reduce demand for coal mined in northwest Colorado.
They voted 2-1 Tuesday to join the lawsuit by the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado.
Commissioner Diane Mitsch Bush cast the dissenting vote, saying she lacked information on how much coal production the region could lose.
Xcel has proposed closing a coal-fired plant in Boulder and converting four units at its Cherokee plant in Denver to natural gas.
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Information from: Steamboat Pilot & Today,
