Earth Protect Blog

Shared from the 6/4/2020 The Denver Post eEdition

FORT COLLINS»A group of 57 businesses, environmental groups and other organizations has petitioned the board of the Platte River Power Authority to narrow its options for future electrical generation so that the utility’s primary coal-fired generator is taken offline by 2030.

PRPA’s board will approve its Integrated Resource Plan this summer, perhaps as early as July if the board is able to meet in person by that time. The IRP, a plan that will provide a road map for the utility to reach 100% noncarbon electric power generation. The proposal before the board contains four options, two of which would retire Rawhide Unit 1 by 2030.

PRPA is awholesale electrical power provider owned by Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park. Board members include the mayors and electrical utility managers from each community.

“It’s extremely important that Northern Colorado becomes a leader in renewable energy in order to stabilize our economy, create local jobs, and create a healthier environment for all of us,” Ian Skor, co-founder of Sandbox Solar in Fort Collins, said in a written statement explaining the letter.

Among the signatories are a church, 13 Northern Colorado community organizations, 24 Fort Collins businesses and 19 Longmont businesses. — BizWest