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. The directive, announced on December 31, 2025, 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 previously scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. However, officials cited concerns about electric grid stability and affordable power supply as reasons for keeping it open. The order aims to reduce the risk of blackouts while maintaining manageable electricity costs.
“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.”
According to information from the Department of Energy’s Resource Adequacy Report, there is a risk that power outages could increase significantly by 2030 if dependable sources are removed from service.
The emergency order takes effect on December 30, 2025, and will remain in place until March 30, 2026.
