September 29, 2026 - U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order on Sept. 25 to keep a Colorado coal plant operational.

The order directs Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Southwest Power Pool, Platte River Power Authority, Salt River Project, Pacificorp, and Public Service Company of Colorado to take steps to ensure that Unit 1 at the Craig Station in Craig, Colo., is available to operate.

Unit 1 of the coal plant was originally scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025, but in December 2025 and twice in 2026, Wright issued emergency orders directing Tri-State and the co-owners to ensure that Craig unit 1 remains available to operate.

“The Trump Administration will continue taking action to ensure we don’t lose critical generation sources. Americans deserve access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power their homes all the time, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining,” Wright said.

Since 2025 more than 17 gigawatts of coal power electricity generation were saved from going offline.

The availability of Craig Unit 1 to operate will help maintain?reliability in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council Rocky Mountain region. Wright said it is necessary to address elevated reliability risks in the region during atypical weather and reduce the risk of power outages that could threaten public health and safety.

The order went into effect on September 27 and remains in effect through December 25.