Sierra Club May Lose Xcel Power Plant Fight to More Jobs for Pueblo, Colo.
By Peter Roper, The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo. -- June 18
The regional chapter of the Sierra Club wants to make Xcel Energy's plan to build a new 750-megawatt, coal-burning power plant a key issue in the Pueblo County commissioner elections this year -- but it may lose the argument in favor of the 1,000 construction jobs that would come with building the plant.
Vincent argues that allowing Xcel to build the big plant -- requiring 1,000
construction workers -- will only aggravate the cycle of "boom and
bust" economic development that follows major construction projects.
Requiring Xcel to build smaller plants that use alternative energy sources would
be a better choice and help diversify the economy, he said.
"Ultimately, we want to end up talking about what alternatives are
available to Xcel's current plan," Vincent said Thursday, confirming that
the Sierra Club intends to make all the candidates running for county
commissioner take a position on the new plant.
A survey Thursday of the crowded field showed that none of the candidates was
willing to adopt the Sierra Club's hard opposition to a major new coal-fired
plant.
Even Terry Hart, a Democrat in the District 1 commissioner's race who has the
support of Vincent and other local Sierra Club leaders, said Pueblo needs the
1,000 new construction jobs that would come with the plant if it is approved by
state regulators.
"I want Xcel to build the cleanest operation they can, but in the last
analysis, we need those jobs even if it means building the coal-burning
plant," said Hart, who is an assistant county attorney. "That's what I
told the Pueblo Area Labor Council when they asked that same question."
Anthony Nunez, who won top line on the Aug. 10 Democratic ballot in District
1, said he also wants to limit any new pollution from a new Xcel plant. But, he
said, if Xcel can build a plant to meet state and federal standards, that is the
legal requirement.
"We need the growth and the jobs, too," Nunez said of the $1.3
billion plant. Nunez is the former chairman of the Pueblo County Democrats.
Former City Councilman Al Gurule said that if Xcel can prevent any additional
pollution with emission controls -- as officials claim -- he has no problem with
the new plant. "It's my understanding they are looking at coal because it
is the cheapest source of fuel," he said. "If (Xcel) can manage the
ill effects of that, I have no problem with it."
Gurule, a Democrat, clashed with the Sierra Club several years ago when, as a
councilman, he supported the construction of a controversial new cement plant
south of Pueblo.
Gil Montez, another Democrat in the District 1 race, attended a Sierra Club
forum Wednesday night concerning the Xcel project. "What I heard didn't
convince me the plant would be bad, but it's clear it is a very complicated
issue and I want to learn more about it," he said.
Dan Archibeque, a former president of the labor council, said bringing more
jobs to Pueblo is his primary concern. "I don't blame the Sierra Club for
its agenda, and I'm concerned about those issues, but our focus needs to be on
more jobs," he said.
Vera Ortegon, the only Republican running in District 1, was unequivocal in
her support for the Xcel project.
"It will bring needed taxes to Pueblo County and the city, it will bring
valuable jobs to our community, and if it meets state and federal emission
standards, I think it will be good economic development," she said.
Ortegon referred to the $13 million in up-front tax payments that Xcel has
offered to the city as part of the project. City Council has looked at that
money as a means for paying for a new police building.
Critics of the big coal plant have argued that both city and county officials
have offered to defer too much of Xcel's future taxes in exchange for the
up-front payment.
John Spearing, another Democrat in the race, could not be reached for comment
Thursday.
In the District 2 commissioner race, incumbent Loretta Kennedy is facing a
Democratic primary challenge from John Cordova, a retired state highway
engineer. On the Republican side, Gene Rizzi, a former state parks manager, is
running for the seat.
Rizzi said he has concerns about a new Xcel plant, including the amount of
water it would use, but said he did not have enough information yet to say
whether he would support it or want the plant changed.
Cordova also took a wait-and-see approach Thursday. "I know (the Sierra
Club) has valid concerns, but I haven't made up my mind yet," he said.
Kennedy couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.
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