A coalition of environmental groups is asking Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to veto a bill approved by the state legislature that would classify nuclear power as a clean energy source. 

The measure, House Bill 1040, is the third attempt in three years by lawmakers to pass such a bill, which proponents say could be a lifeline for coal-dependent communities seeking to revitalize their economies. 

“I represent several coal-transitioning communities in northwest Colorado,” said one of the bill sponsors, Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, during a preliminary Senate vote on March 13. “And they want to be able to have as many options on the table as possible.”

Roberts’ district includes Craig and Hayden, where the impending closure of coal plants is likely to have widespread economic effects. The loss of the Craig plant, which is scheduled to fully close by 2028, is projected to cost more than 400 jobs and up to 47% of the area’s tax revenue. 

He stressed that House Bill 1040 does not authorize nuclear energy development in these communities, calling it instead a “precursor” to multiple steps that would still need to be taken before a community can greenlight a nuclear project.

Proponents say having nuclear power as a clean energy option is critical for meeting the state’s renewable energy goals, which call for large-scale utility providers to reach 100% renewable electrical energy by 2050.

The bill garnered strong bipartisan support in the legislature, passing the House in a 43-18 vote and the Senate in a 29-5 vote. Environmental and progressive groups, however, have raised concerns over nuclear energy’s costs, health risks and environmental impact. 

In a letter sent to Polis last week, 76 organizations and community leaders — including GreenLatinos, Sierra Club Colorado and Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate — refuted the idea that nuclear power is a gateway to Colorado’s carbon-free goals. 

They labeled nuclear power a “false solution that will divert urgently needed funds” from proven renewable energy sources like wind and solar. 

“The idea that nuclear power is a clean energy source could not be further from the truth,” the letter states. “Nuclear power is the only energy resource that generates dangerous waste that will remain radioactive for thousands of years.” 

The letter states there is a “strong possibility the waste would need to be stored onsite, as transporting radioactive waste carries severe risks.” It also references the power plant disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima, which, “while exceedingly rare, should also dissuade legislators from pursuing nuclear power.”

The letter rejected the claim that nuclear energy is renewable and carbon-free. Uranium mining, cement production for facilities as well as processing and transporting waste all add to nuclear energy’s carbon footprint, which the letter states “is significantly larger than the carbon costs associated with wind and solar energy production.”

Nuclear facilities also typically rely on significant amounts of water to cool down, with the letter adding, “Colorado is experiencing a water crisis, and our state cannot afford this level of fresh water usage.”

Supporters of House Bill 1040 say advancements in nuclear technology have led to alternate cooling methods, like molten salts. They also point to the emerging development of small modular reactors that represent a fraction of the footprint of a traditional plant and rely on far fewer resources to operate. 

Still, the technology has seen limited development, with only three small modular reactors currently operating worldwide. Environmental groups that signed onto the letter see it as an expensive and unproven technology that distracts from current solutions. 

“Given the rapidly diminishing costs in renewable technologies which have shown great promise in tackling the climate crisis, a transition to nuclear power would be a ludicrous waste of time, money, and energy for our state,” the letter states. 

The letter concludes by asking Polis — who has signaled an openness to adding nuclear power to Colorado’s clean energy portfolio — to veto the bill.