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Applied Economics Clinic
  • Home
  • About
    • Our People
    • Mission and Funding
    • 990 Filings
    • Governance and Disclosure Statements
  • Our Work
    • Publications
    • Newsletters
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    • Pro Bono Fund
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The Future of the Martin Drake Power Plant

Source: The Denver Post

Source: The Denver Post

Client: Green Cities Coalition and Southeastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society

Tyler Comings and Bryndis Woods

November 2017

On behalf of Green Cities Coalition and Southeastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Senior Researcher Tyler Comings and Researcher Bryndis Woods prepared an Applied Economics Clinic report regarding the Martin Drake Power Plant. The Colorado Springs City Council has ordered that Martin Drake units 6 and 7 should be decommissioned no later than December 31, 2035, and that it would consider earlier dates. In response, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) is evaluating 2025 or 2030 decommissioning for units 6 and 7. Based on the information available to us, we conclude that the CSU Board should consider Martin Drake for decommissioning earlier than 2035—and certainly prior to making large capital investments in the plant—due to: the plant's inefficiencies, more efficient competition both now and in the future, failure to adequately consider alternatives, the ability to rely on regional supply, and the health impacts associated with the plant's location in a city center.

Link to Report News Coverage

Link to Report

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tags: Tyler-Comings, Bryndis-Woods
categories: Coal Plants, Colorado
Thursday 11.30.17
Posted by Liz Stanton
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