Clean Air Clean Jobs Act: Making it a Reality
WRA played a central role in the crafting and passage of HB 1365, also known as the "Clean Air- Clean Jobs Act." The legislation is the first in the nation to provide a framework for the retirement and replacement of aging coal-fired power plants with cleaner resources, including natural gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Retiring aging coal plants is one of the most significant actions that can be taken to achieve cleaner air, reduce the adverse health impacts from air pollution, and cut heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions. Xcel Energy filed its emission reduction plan in August. WRA is currently developing its testimony with a team of expert consultants and working with other Colorado environmental organizations to develop a comprehensive campaign plan to ensure that the legislation is fully and effectively implemented. Hearings are set for Oct. 19- Nov. 3. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will render a decision to approve the plan on December 15th, 2010.
Critical components fo the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act and Xcel Energy's Plan are:
- Xcel Energy would spend $1.3 billion over 12 years to convert 900MW of generation from Denver-area power plants from coal to cleaner sources.
- The act calls for emissions reductions of 75 percent less nitrogen oxide compounds by 2017, as well as reductions in sulfur dioxide, mercury and other emissions.
- Emissions reductions will be accomplished by transitioning to clean renewable energy sources, upgrading power plant emissions technologies, energy conservation, and replacing coal with natural gas in some cases.
While WRA generally supports Xcel's Plan, our testimony has asked the Colorado PUC to advance the retirement of some of the affected coal plants to 2017 or earlier.
Links to Clean Air Clean Jobs Information
Xcel Energy's Clean Air Clean Jobs Plan
Testimony provided by WRA Energy Program Director John Nielsen
WRA press release on passage of the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act