DENVER—Coal interests are asking Colorado regulators to reconsider a plan for Xcel Energy to retire or replace some of its coal-fired power plants.
The Public Utilities Commission last month approved a $1.4 billion plan for Xcel to close five coal-fired units in Denver and Boulder, build a new plant in Denver that runs on natural gas, and convert two coal-fired units in Denver to run on natural gas.
The plan also had Xcel adding more emission controls at its Hayden and Pawnee plants. The changes were required by a new state law aimed at helping Colorado meet federal clean-air requirements.
Parties had 20 days to file requests for a rehearing. The Colorado Mining Association and the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado were among those filing requests Tuesday.
The two groups and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity had a number of arguments, including that commissioners didn’t fully consider effects on communities that depend on coal for jobs and tax revenue.
Xcel also filed a request for a rehearing, but it was mainly concerned about costs it wants to recover from customers.
