Retired coal plants go nuclear Image By EPN staff Key Points Pueblo, Colorado, is considering replacing its coal-fired Comanche power plant with nuclear energy, following Wyoming’s lead, as part of a broader U.S. trend where 11 states are exploring coal-to-nuclear conversions. Colorado passed legislation this year classifying nuclear as clean energy, making plants eligible for grants; coal now provides only one-third of the state’s electricity, and all coal plants are set to close by 2031. The DOE projects nearly 30% of U.S. coal plants will retire by 2035 and estimates up to 200 GW of nuclear capacity will be needed to meet net-zero goals, with coal-to-nuclear conversions boosting local economies and tax revenues significantly. A small Colorado city facing closure of its coal-fired energy plants and coal mines is considering transitioning to nuclear power, according to a recent CBS report. The City of Pueblo is eyeing a similar transformation when Xcel Energy decommissions its Comanche coal-fired power plant by 2031. Meanwhile, neighboring Wyoming has started building a state-of-the-art nuclear reactor in place of a retiring coal plant, with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy. The nuclear power company TerraPower plans to use the site to train operators for the nuclear plants it is building around the world. In addition to Wyoming and Colorado, nine other states have shown interest in converting coal power plants to nuclear power including Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin, according to the Department of Energy. Why it matters Today coal provides just a third of Colorado’s electricity, down from 68% in 2010, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The state’s remaining 10 coal-fired power plants will close by 2031. Earlier this year, the Colorado legislature passed House Bill 25-1040, redefining nuclear energy as a clean energy source and making future nuclear power plants eligible for city and county grants. The bigger picture Coal power plant conversions to renewable energy sources or natural gas are becoming increasingly common globally, according to a new report published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Currently 16% of US energy is produced from coal, 43% from natural gas, 19% from nuclear fission and 21% from renewable sources, according to the EIA. The DOE predicts nearly 30% of US coal-fired power plants will be retired by 2035. To meet a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, the DOE estimates the nation will need to add 200 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity. Unlike solar and wind, fission can produce reliable power not dependent on weather or the time of day. A 2022 DOE report found that 300 operating or retired coal plants could supply more than 200 GW, if converted into advanced nuclear power plants. The report also found coal to nuclear conversion projects would generate additional yearly economic activity of $275 million and a 92% increase in local tax revenue. Additional details Nuclear is not the only conversion option. More than 100 coal plants have converted to natural gas according to EIA. In Nevada, Quaise Energy is looking at retrofitting a privately owned coal-fired plant to accommodate “deep” geothermal heat, according to Power Magazine. Deep geothermal produces 10 times as much power as traditional geothermal, making it competitive with fossil fuels.
