PUEBLO, Colo., January 7, 2021  – Black Hills Energy today announced it will file a Clean Energy Plan with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission voluntarily next year, detailing plans to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its Colorado electric generation operations by 2030, compared with a 2005 baseline, as required by the state.

Black Hills Energy, which provides electric and natural gas service to nearly 290,000 customers in 119 Colorado communities, expects to achieve a 70 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2024 based on current plans. The Clean Energy Plan will provide a path for achieving the remaining emissions reduction required by the state, by the 2030 deadline.

The company discussed the Clean Energy Plan and progress toward its renewable energy goals at a joint news conference online today with Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

“We’re committed to Colorado’s clean energy vision for our state’s electric sector and we’re proud to have one of the cleanest generation fleets in the state today,” said Vance Crocker, Black Hills Energy vice president for Colorado Utilities. “We’ve already made great progress toward the state’s goals, and the Clean Energy Plan we’ll file next year will help us to continue moving forward.”

“Colorado is well on our way to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040 and will continue to win lower rates along with the health and environmental benefits of green energy,” said Governor Polis. “I’m proud of the work the state has championed thus far and appreciate the private sector and climate advocates working together to meet the bold goals and demands of this generational challenge. The state’s transition to low-cost renewable energy also creates many clean energy jobs in Southern Colorado and across the state.”  

Since closing its last Colorado coal plant nine years ago, Black Hills Energy has added three wind farms in Huerfano County, in Southern Colorado, which together deliver 150 MW of generating capacity. 

Later this year, the company expects that construction will begin on Renewable Advantage, its first utility-scale solar project, a 200 MW facility located in Pueblo County. Renewable Advantage is expected to deliver more than $66 million in savings for Black Hills Energy customers over 15 years.

When Renewable Advantage comes online in 2023, more than half of the Black Hills Energy generation mix in Colorado will come from renewable sources, leading to a 70 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2024.

“We are a customer-focused utility and we know our customers want more renewables, especially when they help to reduce costs,” Crocker said. “Increasing the amount of renewable energy on our system to reduce emissions while also delivering customer savings is a win/win. Our Clean Energy plan will take a balanced approach to achieving emissions reduction goals while also prioritizing reliability, safety and affordability for our customers.”

“Pueblo County has established the aspirational goal of getting 100 percent of our power supply from renewable energy by 2035,” said Garrison Ortiz, chair of the Pueblo County Board of Commissioners. “This is the best place in the country for wind and solar generation, so this makes sense for our community. The progress that Black Hills Energy is making on adding renewables is helping to move us toward our goal.”

View the recorded news conference with Black Hills Energy and Colorado Gov. Polis.