At a Glance
- Trump admin orders Craig Station coal unit to stay open past planned 2025 shutdown
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright cites power shortage in northwestern U.S.
- Owners must fix broken valve and absorb compliance costs
Why it matters: The order keeps a 45-year-old plant running, affecting local economy and ratepayers.
The Trump administration has told the owners of the Craig Station coal plant in northwestern Colorado to keep its 446-megawatt Unit 1 operational beyond its scheduled retirement, citing a power shortage in the region.
The Order
Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order that requires the plant to remain running past its retirement date. The order follows similar directives in Indiana, Washington, and Michigan.
- Emergency order issued Tuesday
- Unit 1 shut down Dec 19
- Planned retirement end of 2025
- Valve repair required
Impact on Owners
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, the non-profit cooperative that owns the unit, will have to repair a broken valve that caused the shutdown. The cost will be borne by the cooperative’s members unless a cost-sharing solution is found.
Tri-State CEO Duane Highley said:
> “As a not-for-profit cooperative, our membership will bear the costs of compliance with this order unless we can identify a method to share costs with those in the region.”
Political Reactions
The order drew criticism from Colorado officials and local business owners. Senator Michael Bennet called the decision a disservice to ratepayers, while Wade Gerber, a plant employee, noted the broader shift away from coal.
Senator Michael Bennet said:
> “It is unacceptable to burden ratepayers with these unnecessary costs.”
Wade Gerber said:
> “This announcement changes little for Colorado’s coal country, which is undergoing a long-term shift away from the fossil fuel as a pillar of the local economy.”
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 capacity | 446 MW |
| Unit 1 shutdown | Dec 19 |
| Planned retirement | End 2025 |
| Units 2 & 3 retirement | 2028 |
| Plant built | 1980 |
| Fuel source | Trapper Mine (scheduled closure) |
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration has extended the operating life of Craig Station Unit 1 beyond its planned 2025 retirement.
- Owners must repair a broken valve and cover the associated costs.
- The move faces backlash from state officials and local stakeholders.
The decision underscores the administration’s push to keep coal plants running amid a national shift toward cleaner energy sources.
