Energy Secretary Ensures Colorado Coal Plant Remains Open to Prevent Blackouts

Emergency order addresses critical grid reliability issues, lowering risk of blackouts and ensuring affordable electricity access.

WASHINGTON-U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today issued an emergency order to keep a Colorado coal plant operational to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity heading into the winter months. The order directs Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State), Platte River Power Authority, Salt River Project, PacifiCorp, and Xcel Energy, in coordination with the Western Area Power Administration-Rocky Mountain Region and Southwest Power Pool West, to take all measures necessary to ensure that Unit 1 at the Craig Station in Craig, Colorado is available to operate. Unit 1 of the coal plant was scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. The reliable supply of power from the coal plant is essential for keeping the region's electric grid stable. The order prioritizes minimizing electricity costs for the American people and minimizing the risk and costs of blackouts.

"On Day One, President Trump declared an energy emergency and directed the government to reverse the dangerous energy subtraction policies of the previous administration," said Energy Secretary Wright. "Keeping this coal plant online will ensure Americans maintain an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of electricity. The Trump Administration is committed to lowering energy costs and keeping American families safe."

Background:

As outlined in DOE's Resource Adequacy Report, power outages could increase by 100 times in 2030 if the U.S. continues to take reliable power offline.

The order is in effect beginning on December 30, 2025, and continues until March 30, 2026.

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