By Nia Bender
COLORADO SPRINGS – Colorado Springs Utilities is getting ready to take major steps in dismantling the Martin Drake coal-fired power plant near downtown. CSU is teaming up with General Electric to install 100-million dollars of portable gas generators to be used to keep the power on for customers.
CSU Chief Aram Benyamin told the Denver Post that the Drake plant will be gone. The plant is 96-years old and once it’s dismantled, it’ll clear more than just the air, it’ll open up 70-acres of prime land. Last June, city leaders approved plans to close the Drake plant by the end of 2023.
They’re planning to add more solar and wind capacity and install battery storage systems, with the goal of reducing air pollution from electricity generation before 2030. A second power plant southeast of the city is slated for closure by 2029.
