​There is no emergency justifying the U.S. Department of Energy’s order to keep the coal-fired Craig Unit 1 in Moffat County available until March 30, and the order should be rescinded because it is an unlawful abuse of the federal government’s emergency authority, according to a petition to be filed today by Attorney General Phil Weiser.

“There is no evidence of an energy emergency that would require keeping Craig Unit 1 open. The Energy Department’s illegal order will result in millions of dollars of unnecessary costs that could be passed on to rural households and businesses already struggling with high electricity bills. The continued operation of Craig Unit 1 would also increase pollution in Colorado, harming the environment and public health. This is a federal intrusion into the state’s authority to design and manage energy policy within our borders. The DOE should rescind the order,” – AG Weiser