Overview
- Tri-State Generation and Platte River Power Authority filed a detailed petition seeking a DOE rehearing, arguing the Dec. 30 emergency order violates their property rights and fails Section 202(c)’s requirements.
- The petition asks for a formal hearing and warns the utilities could sue if DOE does not respond within 30 days, noting costs should not fall on customers unless the federal government pays.
- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and a coalition led by Sierra Club and Earthjustice submitted separate petitions contending there is no grid emergency and signaling readiness to litigate.
- Craig Unit 1 malfunctioned on Dec. 19 and remains out of service pending costly repairs; the order was issued a day before its planned Dec. 31 retirement and currently runs through March 30 with possible extensions.
- Analyses estimate annual operating costs of roughly $85 million to as high as $150 million, with fuel as the largest share, while the owners say replacement clean resources are in place and transmission limits could sideline a 145 MW local solar project if the coal unit runs.