Coloradans Tell Ritter to Stop Clowning Around on Climate Change

Citizens call on Governor to Replace North Denver's Cherokee Coal-fired Power Plant with Clean Energy, Live up to Climate Goals

DENVER-Seeking cleaner air and a safe climate, WildEarth Guardians today led a group of citizens to the west steps of the State Capitol telling Governor Ritter to stop clowning around when it comes to confronting global warming and to replace Xcel Energy’s Cherokee coal-fired power plant in North Denver with clean energy.

Dressed in clown costumes and wearing Ritter face masks with red noses, local residents, students and organizational leaders held a large red banner reading: “Ritter: Don’t Be a Climate Clown, Coal Can’t Fuel Change.” WildEarth Guardians also delivered a coalition letter to the Governor’s office demanding the state’s leader protect the economy, public health and a safe climate by committing to replace coal-fired power plants with clean energy, starting with the Cherokee coal-fired power plant in North Denver.

In 2008, Governor Ritter signed a landmark Executive Order calling for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases statewide by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. The Governor stated, “Scientists tell us that to head off disruptions to our economy, environment, and society by the second half of this century, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 2005 levels by 2050.” Despite this, greenhouse gases are projected to increase in Colorado because of Xcel Energy’s coal-fired power plants.

“It’s time to power past coal in Colorado; that starts with the Cherokee coal-fired power plant in North Denver,” said Jeremy Nichols, Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians. “If we are to make any significant reduction in greenhouse gases and confront global warming, we need to start replacing coal with clean energy.”

Today’s rally is a lead up to a public hearing to be held Thursday, November 19th at 6 P.M. which will determine the fate of the Cherokee coal-fired power plant. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is holding the hearing to decide whether to allow the Cherokee plant to continue operating.

In anticipation of the hearing, citizens delivered a message to the Governor pointing out that the state’s climate goals cannot be met with business as usual concerning coal in Colorado. Xcel Energy’s coal-fired power plants are already the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Although the company has committed to shuttering its two smallest coal-fired power plants (Arapahoe in Denver and Cameo in Grand Junction), WildEarth Guardians found that greenhouse gases from Xcel’s coal-fired power plants will actually increase by more than 3,000,000 tons annually once the new Comanche 3 boiler in Pueblo comes on line later this year (see WildEarth Guardians “Xposing Xcel” report).

“Greenhouse gases are projected to increase in Colorado because of Xcel’s coal-fired power plants. That’s not progress, that’s a sham,” said Nichols. “We need real solutions to global warming that protect our economy, public health and clean air.”

Citizens today called for a path forward replacing more of Xcel Energy’s coal-fired power plants in Colorado with clean energy, starting with the Cherokee plant. The Cherokee plant is the largest and dirtiest coal-fired power plant in the Denver metro area. The plant includes four boilers, which burn more than 2 million pounds of coal annually, and three smokestacks that spew 162 pounds of mercury, among other toxic compounds. The plant is a leading contributor to the region’s smog and haze pollution.

The Cherokee plant is also a chronic violator of clean air laws. In August of 2009, WildEarth Guardians filed suit against Xcel Energy over more than 22,000 violations of the Clean Air Act at the Cherokee plant. The company faces more than $800,000,000 in potential civil penalties as a result.

“We need electricity, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of our health, our quality of life, and the climate,” said Nichols. “It’s time for our Governor to be the leader Coloradans deserve, to power past coal, starting with the Cherokee power plant; it’s time to get clean energy solutions in gear.”

WildEarth Guardians is dedicated to protecting and restoring the American West and is leading the charge to protect North Denver and Colorado from the harmful impacts of coal burning, and to promote clean energy solutions.

View coalition letter.


 

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