DENVER—Two members of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission say they won’t recuse themselves from deliberations on Xcel Energy’s plan to reduce its reliance on coal.
The Colorado Mining Association asked PUC Chairman Ronald Binz and Commissioner Matt Baker not to participate because they were involved in negotiations with Xcel and natural gas companies to create the state’s new emissions law.
The PUC took up the issue Thursday as it opened hearings on the plan. Binz and Baker explained that their discussions with the parties involved have been adversarial at times.
The new law required Xcel to propose how to cut power plant emissions to meet foreseeable federal air standards. The PUC must decide whether to accept it by Dec. 15.
