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Coal Plant Outages Spark Controversy Over Energy Reliability

11/2/2025

Center

Xcel Energy's Coal Crisis

Comanche 3 coal plant in Colorado has endured 138 days of outages since August 2023, raising grid concerns.
Xcel Energy will comply with federal orders to keep coal plants running, mirroring the J.H. Campbell Plant in Michigan.
Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, say this is a manufactured crisis that could raise costs.
State regulators and Xcel approved retirement plans for Comanche units, citing long-term savings and environmental benefits.

Left

Consumers Energy's Coal Controversy

The emergency order to keep the J.H. Campbell coal plant operating past retirement has incurred over $80 million since May, per Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy plans to recover these costs from ratepayers in nine states.
Environmental groups challenge the order, arguing it harms consumers and undermines state authority.
The plant's operation contradicts Consumers Energy's net-zero goal for 2040, as costs exceed projected retirement savings.

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Xcel Energy's Coal Crisis

Comanche 3 coal plant in Colorado has endured 138 days of outages since August 2023, raising grid concerns.
Xcel Energy will comply with federal orders to keep coal plants running, mirroring the J.H. Campbell Plant in Michigan.
Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, say this is a manufactured crisis that could raise costs.
State regulators and Xcel approved retirement plans for Comanche units, citing long-term savings and environmental benefits.

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