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Craig coal units 1 &2. Courtesy of Platte River Power Authority.
Craig coal units 1 &2. Courtesy of Platte River Power Authority.
Colorado Attorney General challenges Craig coal unit order
ColoradoBiz Staff //January 29, 2026//
DENVER — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is challenging a federal order that requires the coal-fired Craig Unit 1 in Moffat County to remain available through March 30, arguing there is no energy emergency to justify the action.
In Brief:
- Attorney General Phil Weiser is challenging a federal order keeping Craig Unit 1 operating.
- The order delays the coal unit’s planned retirement through March 30.
- The state argues there is no energy emergency justifying federal action.
- Colorado is asking the Energy Department to rescind and not renew the order.
Weiser is filing a petition with the U.S. Department of Energy seeking to rescind the order issued Dec. 30, 2025, under the department’s emergency authority under the Federal Power Act. The order delays the unit’s scheduled retirement beyond its planned Dec. 31, 2025, closure.
The petition states the Energy Department has historically used its emergency authority only during imminent power shortages caused by unexpected outages, natural disasters, or extreme weather, and typically at the request of grid operators or government agencies.
Weiser said federal intervention in state authority over power generation is permitted only in a true emergency and requires specific procedures that were not followed.
“There is no evidence of an energy emergency that would require keeping Craig Unit 1 open,” Weiser said. “The order could result in millions of dollars in unnecessary costs that may be passed on to rural households and businesses already facing high electricity bills.”
He also said continued operation of the unit would increase pollution in Colorado and harm public health.
The decision to retire Craig Unit 1 was made about a decade ago and was based largely on economic factors. Utility owners incorporated the closure into long-term resource planning processes over several years, according to the petition.
The filing also argues that even if an emergency existed, keeping the unit available would not address it. The plant was not operating when the order was issued and other options are available to meet energy needs at lower cost and with greater reliability.
The state is asking the Energy Department to rescind the order and not renew it beyond March 30, 2026. The department has 30 days to respond to the petition for rehearing.
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