U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to keep Unit 1 at the Craig Station coal plant in Colorado operational through the winter months. The order, announced in Washington, instructs Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Platte River Power Authority, Salt River Project, PacifiCorp, and Xcel Energy to work with the Western Area Power Administration—Rocky Mountain Region and Southwest Power Pool West to ensure the unit remains available for operation.
Unit 1 was originally scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. The Department of Energy (DOE) stated that continued operation is necessary to maintain grid stability and minimize electricity costs for consumers. The emergency measure aims to lower the risk and costs associated with potential blackouts.
“On Day One, President Trump declared an energy emergency and directed the government to reverse the dangerous energy subtraction policies of the previous administration,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “Keeping this coal plant online will ensure Americans maintain an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of electricity. The Trump Administration is committed to lowering energy costs and keeping American families safe.”
The DOE’s Resource Adequacy Report indicates that power outages could increase significantly by 2030 if reliable power sources are removed from service. The emergency order is effective from December 30, 2025, through March 30, 2026.
