The Trump Administration intervened to keep a retiring Colorado coal plant open. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued the order Tuesday. Craig Station's Unit 1, slated to close this year, must remain available. The Department of Energy cited a potential energy emergency.
The order contradicts Colorado's Public Utilities Commission. The commission previously found the unit unnecessary for grid reliability. The plant is not required to generate power, only to be on standby.
Critics question the necessity of the intervention. They point to the commission's prior assessment. The order's impact on Colorado's energy transition remains unclear.
This is not the first time the administration has intervened to support coal plants. Similar actions have occurred citing national security concerns. These interventions aim to bolster fossil fuel industries.
The plant's operator must now comply with the order. Legal challenges are possible. The situation highlights ongoing debates about energy policy and grid resilience.
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