Utilities board votes to decommission unit 5 at Drake
The Colorado Springs Utilities Board voted Wednesday to decommission one of the Drake Power Plant’s power generating units.
The vote means that unit 5 will be taken out of service by December 31, 2017.
In November 2015, the board voted to decommission the entire plant by 2035.
Board member and city councilwoman Jill Gaebler believes decommissioning unit 5 is cost-effective.
“Closing Drake 5 is the fiscally responsible thing to do,” Gaebler said. “It’s the cheapest thing for the rate payers and for energy production. I know it’s tough, but it’s time.”
Colorado Springs Utilities employees say closing the unit would save about $400,000 in operational and maintenance costs.
