A statewide lobbying push by IBEW members has resulted in a new Colorado law naming nuclear as a clean energy resource.
On April 1, Gov. Jared Polis signed the law that passed both houses of the Colorado legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Denver Local 111 political coordinator Jeremy Ross said the bill will address the lack of baseload electricity in the state as coal plants retire. Nuclear, a zero-emission resource that operates 24-7, complements solar, wind, and gas generation with consistent, dispatchable power.
“We have done nothing to secure reliable baseload power in Colorado,” Ross said. “Right now the talk is expanding gas assets because we have failed to address baseload.”
On behalf of the more than 9,000 members in the state, IBEW Eighth District Vice President Jerry Bellah and the Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers sent letters of support for the bill to legislators.
Julian Aguilar, Denver Local 68 business agent, said it was heartening to see a united IBEW effort that included the state’s local unions actively working together to get the bill passed. “This is what can happen when we are all pulling in the same direction,” he said.
“We are excited that workers across Colorado may have a chance to build and operate the next generation of energy production, all while making wages that support their families and the communities we live in,” Bellah said in his letter. “Our hope is that we can work with government policymakers and regulators to make this a reality.”
Although the law does not authorize the construction of any new nuclear plants, it will allow future projects to contribute to the state’s renewable energy goals and makes the projects eligible for grants reserved previously for wind, solar, and geothermal projects.
Ross said the bill earned the support of AFL-CIO building trades, the utility industry, and communities being considered for new nuclear facilities.
“Colorado overwhelmingly supports nuclear development, and we believe that to meet our future power needs, nuclear power has to be on the table,” he said.
Challenges remain, including permitting hurdles and finding partners willing to invest in newer technologies like small modular nuclear reactors for commercial use.
“Getting this stuff across the finish line can be tough,” Ross said. “But we continue to make a more friendly environment for nuclear energy to grow. That’s at the heart of this bill.”
Photo caption: The nuclear bill attracted support from IBEW leaders across the state, including Julian Aguilar, Denver Local 68 business agent; Tom Kelley Pueblo Local 12 business manager; Jeremy Ross, Denver Local 111 business representative; Tim Eurioste, Pueblo Local 667 business manager; James Bernal Jr., Local 12 organizer; and Nicole Loundagin, Eighth District international representative.
