#27 - 2021 Decommissioning Martin Drake Power Plant in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Featuring, Jim Riggins, who is involved in the heat of his community's energy future.

Martin Drake, a coal fired power plant located in downtown Colorado Springs, has burned coal to generate electricity since 1925. It burned its last piece of coal, however, on August 27, 2021 And it will transition to being fully decommissioned on December 31st, 2022. For now, Drake will operate by making electricity using a large natural gas generator. The generator is actually portable and can be repurposed after Drake is fully shut down. Jim, is retired from the United States Air Force and from running an independent Home Energy Rating company, I first met Jim as a student in one of the Rater certification classes I taught while with EnergyLogic. He is now involved in the heart of his community’s energy future and is going to help describe what it takes to decommission a coal fired power plant. I hope you enjoy your listen! Jim welcomes direct questions Reach out to him at [email protected] Colorado Springs Indy article, “Drake Power Plant’s glory days are over” By Pam Zubeck Sep 29, 2021 Updated Oct 6, 2021 Colorado Springs Utilities Sustainable Energy Plan Colorado Springs Utility Electric Generation 2030 Chart Xcel Energy commits to net-zero carbon goal by 2050 Southeastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society Passive House Institute United States