The Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, which is comprised of 21 organizations working to address the climate crisis, was pleased to learn recently that the largest utility in the State, Xcel Energy, plans to explore the closure of two of its remaining coal plants and increase renewable electricity to 55% of its total energy mix by 2030. However, we can and must do better.
Please click here to sign the petition between September 28th – October 29th, 2017:
http://www.oneclickpolitics.com/messages/edit?promo_id=3550
to let Xcel and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) know that you’d like to see Xcel develop a plan for 100% renewable electricity by 2030. We intend to deliver the petition to Xcel and the PUC by the end of October.
The text of the petition is included below. Please sign, and please share the petition widely with other organizations you’re associated with.
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Petition to Xcel for Further Commitments to Renewable Electricity
Coloradans have long been expressing our interest in eliminating our reliance on coal due to its deadly effects. We are encouraged by Xcel’s proposed Colorado Energy Plan, which will explore the closure of two coal units, and which calls for increasing renewable electricity generation to 55% of the total energy mix by 2026.
Decarbonization of the electric sector is an integral and achievable step in making the economy-wide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We call for further reductions in the use of all fossil fuels, including fossil (“natural”) gas. Fossil gas is primarily comprised of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas with significant documented leakage rates from fracking wells and infrastructure.
We can make this transition in time to protect human health, the environment of our beautiful state, our communities, and economic viability for our children and grandchildren. As a broad coalition of citizens, faith groups, and community organizations, we request the following from Xcel by the end of this year:
1. A schedule for closing all remaining coal plants in Colorado by 2030, and for closing all fossil gas plants by 2035 or earlier.
2. A commitment to 80% renewable electricity in Colorado by 2030, with an aspirational goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
3. A commitment to complete a study by the end of 2018 on how to achieve 100% renewable electricity in Colorado by 2030.