On Oct. 15, 2024, Xcel Energy filed for PUC approval of its 2024 “Just Transition Solicitation” (JTS). The JTS is Xcel Energy’s next Electric Resource Plan to address the acquisition of new utility resources to meet future electricity needs on its system. A principal component of the JTS will be replacement resources for the 2030 retirement of Unit 3 (coal) at Xcel Energy’s generation facilities in Pueblo.
The concept of the JTS first appeared in the Updated Non-Unanimous Partial Settlement Agreement (“USA”) that the Company filed in the 2021 Electric Resource Plan/Clean Energy Plan (“EPR/CEP”) in April 2022. The JTS ties to the provisions that Unit 3 of the coal-fired facility in Pueblo will retire no later than January 1, 2031. The Unit 3 retirement date aligns with another provision that has allowed the Company to defer acquiring replacement resources for Unit 3 to the JTS.
In addition to the early retirement of Unit 3, the JTS contemplates the early retirement of coal-fired facilities in Craig and Hayden. Specifically, Craig 2 is set to retire in 2028, Hayden 1 will retire in 2028, and Hayden 2 will retire in 2027. Also, the Pawnee coal-fired power plant in Morgan County will be converted to natural gas no later than January 1, 2026.
In the JTS Application, the Company lists several objectives for the JTS, including advancing a just transition for communities impacted by the accelerated coal retirements, and acquiring sufficient resources to fulfill resource adequacy, all while achieving an 80 percent emissions reduction by 2030. The Company argues that it will need a large resource portfolio in order to accomplish these important objectives and will need to acquire almost 14 GW of new generation and storage resources.
The PUC will hold three JTS public comment hearings. More details can be found on the PUC Calendar:
Pueblo, In person: 4-6 PM, Thursday, April 17
Hayden In person: 4-6 PM, Thursday, May 1
Virtual: 11 AM - 1 PM, Monday, April 28