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 months. The directive, announced on December 31, 2025, aims to address grid reliability concerns and reduce the risk of blackouts as colder weather approaches.
The order instructs Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Platte River Power Authority, Salt River Project, PacifiCorp, and Xcel Energy—working with the Western Area Power Administration’s Rocky Mountain Region and Southwest Power Pool West—to ensure that Unit 1 remains available for operation. The unit was previously scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), continued operation of this coal plant is necessary for maintaining stability in the region’s electric grid. The order also emphasizes efforts to keep electricity costs low for consumers while minimizing blackout risks.
“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.”
The DOE cited its Resource Adequacy Report, which warns that power outages could become up to 100 times more frequent by 2030 if reliable sources are removed from service.
The emergency order takes effect from December 30, 2025, through March 30, 2026.
