Clean Affordable Energy
Nuclear & Hydrogen
Bottom Line Up Front: This forward-thinking energy policy will secure Colorado’s energy independence (fits with America First – less reliant on outside fossil), create jobs, and protect consumers. It’s bold, but Colorado has always been pioneering (from oil/gas in the past to wind/solar now). Time to pioneer next wave: nuclear and hydrogen hub of the Rockies. We are committed to making that a reality.
a. All-of-the-Above Strategy: We champion Clean, Affordable Energy development, including often overlooked high-potential sources like Nuclear and Hydrogen, to meet Colorado’s future needs sustainably and reliably. Our goal is to ensure energy that is reliable (no blackouts), cost-effective for families and businesses (keeping utility bills low), and with minimal environmental impact (low emissions). Nuclear power is a proven source of carbon-free baseload electricity that many other countries use effectively; new technologies (small modular reactors) make it safer and more flexible. Hydrogen (especially when produced with low-carbon methods) is an emerging energy carrier that could revolutionize transportation, storage, and industry by replacing fossil fuels in certain areas with water as the emission. Embracing these along with renewables and clean natural gas will make Colorado an energy leader and secure our grid against shortages. Currently, Colorado’s green energy push focuses on wind and solar, which are good but intermittent; nuclear can provide steady output, and hydrogen can store excess renewable energy or fuel heavy vehicles. We need to diversify beyond wind/solar to truly decarbonize affordably.
b. Current Barriers: Colorado, like many states, has had historical hesitance or even legal barriers to nuclear. I believe since the ‘70s, Colorado law requires voter approval for new nuclear plants (many states did that after accidents like Three Mile Island). Also, no nuclear plants currently and no infrastructure for it here. Hydrogen development is nascent – there’s interest (especially for fuel cell vehicles or blending hydrogen in gas turbines) but needs investment and regulation updates. The state’s climate plan hasn’t emphasized nuclear at all; it’s largely renewables plus phasing out coal and gas. But to reach emissions goals and have reliable power, nuclear must be on table. Also, coal plants retiring by 2030 (per law), and with increased electrification (EVs, etc.), we risk grid strain if we rely on just wind and solar plus out-of-state imports. Meanwhile, hydrogen could help decarbonize trucking (diesel alternative) and stabilize grid as storage (power->hydrogen->power via fuel cells).
c. Policy Initiatives:
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1. Lift Nuclear Restrictions: We will seek to remove or amend any state legal obstacles to nuclear plant construction. If current law demands a voter referendum to approve any nuclear facility, we can aim to repeal that requirement or proactively take it to voters with a strong case. It’s possible attitudes improved because nuclear is now seen as clean energy (even some environmentalists support it). We can emphasize advanced reactor designs that are meltdown-proof, and that states like Wyoming are piloting a small reactor project at a retiring coal site. We can propose doing similar in Colorado – replacing a coal plant (e.g., Hayden or Comanche sites) with a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). That uses existing transmission infrastructure and workforce and ensures stable power in those regions. We’ll commission a feasibility study on SMRs in Colorado and start regulatory framework to accommodate licensing once federal NRC approves designs.
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2. Incentivize Nuclear Investment: Considering high capital costs, we might create state incentives or public-private partnerships for first nuclear projects. For example, offer tax credits or streamline permitting (coordinate state environmental permitting with NRC process to avoid delays). Possibly join a multi-state consortium to share costs of an SMR development (sharing with Wyoming or others if they do similar). We might also push to classify nuclear as renewable or clean in state RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) or clean energy targets, so utilities get credit toward their mandates by adding nuclear generation. Right now, Xcel and others are aiming for 100% carbon-free by 2050; nuclear should count and probably be necessary to achieve that.
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3. Public Education and Safety: Tackle public fear through education campaigns about modern nuclear safety and waste management solutions. Emphasize how France, etc., operate dozens of reactors safely. For waste, mention advanced recycling reducing volume and that interim storage is secure (perhaps even propose Colorado as site for a research storage facility if community consents – or support federal waste repository progress). Ensure robust state safety oversight just to bolster confidence (though NRC primarily regulates). If people trust the safety, they’ll be more open.
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4. Hydrogen Development Roadmap: Form a Colorado Hydrogen Task Force with industry (like fuel cell companies, utilities, National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden which works on hydrogen) to make a strategy. That could include pilot projects: e.g., blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines by some percent to lower emissions, or trial hydrogen fuel cell buses in Denver’s RTD fleet with building fueling infrastructure. We could offer grants or matching funds for hydrogen production demo using excess wind/solar (power-to-gas), known as green hydrogen. Also encourage “blue hydrogen” where natural gas is converted to hydrogen with carbon capture – leveraging our gas resources cleanly. Possibly pursue a hydrogen hub grant (the federal government is funding regional hydrogen hubs; Colorado can apply to be one, maybe partnering with neighboring states).
5. Fleet Conversion and Market Creation: Set state government as a leader by trying some hydrogen vehicles in state fleet or using hydrogen backup generators at critical facilities instead of diesel. This helps create initial demand. Also coordinate with trucking industry and Western states to develop hydrogen refueling corridors along highways (if trucks shift to fuel cells, they need fueling stations). Could use some infrastructure funding to seed a few hydrogen fueling sites along I-25 / I-70.
6. Grid and Regulatory Updates: Adapt regulations to accommodate hydrogen blending in gas supply, and update fire codes or building codes to safely handle hydrogen equipment (so red tape doesn’t hold back adoption). Similarly, ensure nuclear is included in any resource planning process for utilities – PUC should allow utilities to consider new nuclear in their integrated plans, not exclude it prematurely. Possibly push a legislative directive that carbon-free resource planning must consider nuclear as an option along with renewables.
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7. Economic Benefits: Emphasize job creation: nuclear plants bring high-paying engineering jobs and long-term operation jobs; hydrogen economy could spawn new manufacturing (fuel cells, electrolyzers). Colorado’s universities can train workforce for these industries (maybe add nuclear engineering specialty at Colorado School of Mines or CSU). If we act now, Colorado can be at forefront and export expertise.
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8. Balanced Energy Approach: We will of course continue supporting renewables and efficiency too; but our focus is to fill the gaps renewables can’t – nuclear and hydrogen can provide stable output and storage. We’ll illustrate synergy: e.g., use midday solar surplus to make hydrogen, which can generate power at night via fuel cells. Or small nuclear can provide district heating or industrial heat that is otherwise from fossil fuels. This integrated approach ensures always-on clean energy and less need for natural gas peaker plants.
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9. Oppose Unrealistic Mandates until firm alternatives: Colorado’s GHG reduction mandates are aggressive (e.g., 80% power sector carbon cut by 2030). We will incorporate nuclear/hydrogen into meeting those, and if legislature hasn’t considered them, we’ll push it. Meanwhile, we might need to adjust timeline if certain mandates risk reliability (don’t shut all coal/gas before replacements in place). Highlight nuclear/hydrogen as making climate goals achievable without blackouts or huge rate increases.
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By championing Clean Affordable Energy through nuclear and hydrogen, we position Colorado for energy security. Instead of vulnerability to fuel price swings or calm/dark weather spells, we have steady sources. It helps meet climate targets responsibly. And importantly, it keeps energy affordable – nuclear has higher upfront cost but low operating cost and doesn’t require expensive storage or overbuild like intermittent sources; hydrogen can leverage cheap renewables when abundant and provide energy when scarce. Ratepayers ultimately want lights on at reasonable cost – our plan is the best way to ensure that in a low carbon future.
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We anticipate some ideological resistance (some environmental groups historically anti-nuclear). We’ll reason with them that climate urgency means all non-carbon tools needed; many greens now accept nuclear as necessary. Safety/regulation improvements can address concerns. Hydrogen may raise safety worries (it’s flammable), but proper engineering handles that (like natural gas safety codes do). We'll show success from other places (Japan, South Korea embrace hydrogen tech; nuclear in many nations).