Groups Challenge Trump Administration’s Illegal Craig Coal Plant Extension

AI Summary

• •Environmental groups are challenging a 2026 Department of Energy (DoE) emergency order that extended the operational life of Unit 1 at Colorado's Craig coal-fired power plant, alleging the order is illegal and based on an 'unproven emergency.'
• •This legal action creates significant regulatory uncertainty, demonstrating the potential for federal intervention in plant retirements and the likelihood of legal challenges against such interventions, impacting long-term planning for developers and large consumers.
• •The forced extension of an older, potentially 'broken' coal unit could distort regional power markets, potentially delaying the entry of new, more efficient generation and affecting wholesale power prices in the Western Interconnection.
• •The challenge, led by groups advocating for renewables (e.g., Vote Solar), underscores the ongoing push to retire fossil assets and accelerate the deployment of solar, wind, and storage, suggesting that developers of these technologies should monitor such legal battles closely.

Article Content