CASE STUDY: Transition to Clean Energy for Cooperative Utilities

This case study by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines the Responsible Energy Plan (REP) launched by Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in January 2020. The plan outlines a transition from coal-fired generation to a diversified portfolio of renewables to meet state carbon regulations and member demands while maintaining affordability and reliability.

• Tri-State's Responsible Energy Plan (REP), announced on January 15, 2020, targets the retirement of 904 MW of coal capacity by 2030 and the addition of 1,019 MW of new renewable capacity.
• The REP specifies the retirement of the 253 MW Escalante Station in New Mexico by the end of 2020 and all three units of the 1,285 MW Craig Station in Colorado by 2030. Additionally, the 100 MW Nucla Generating Station was retired at the end of 2019.
• Tri-State aims to bring over 1,000 MW of new wind and solar online by 2024 through eight projects across Colorado and New Mexico, with a long-term goal of 100% clean energy for Colorado by 2040.
• The transition is expected to reduce emissions from Tri-State's Colorado wholesale electric sales by 70 percent by 2030 to align with state carbon regulations.
• Tri-State utilized a multi-stakeholder advisory group facilitated by Colorado State University’s Center for a New Energy Economy (CNEE) and former Governor Bill Ritter to build credibility and buy-in from academic, agricultural, industry, environmental, and government sectors.
• Significant obstacles to the transition include the lack of a full Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) in the western United States and the long timeline for transmission development, which Tri-State estimates takes 8–12 years.
• To mitigate the impact of coal plant closures, Tri-State established a $5 million Escalante community reinvestment fund and is working with state governments to provide economic assistance and retraining for workers.

APA

Brehm, K., Dyson, M., & Siegner, K. (n.d.). CASE STUDY: Transition to Clean Energy for Cooperative Utilities. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2020/05/tri_states_responsible_energy_program_case_study.pdf

Chicago

Brehm, Kevin, Mark Dyson, and Katie Siegner. CASE STUDY: Transition to Clean Energy for Cooperative Utilities. RMI, n.d. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2020/05/tri_states_responsible_energy_program_case_study.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Brehm |first1=Kevin |last2=Dyson |first2=Mark |last3=Siegner |first3=Katie |title=CASE STUDY: Transition to Clean Energy for Cooperative Utilities |publisher=RMI |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2020/05/tri_states_responsible_energy_program_case_study.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{brehmndcase, author = {Brehm, Kevin and Dyson, Mark and Siegner, Katie}, title = {{CASE STUDY: Transition to Clean Energy for Cooperative Utilities}}, institution = {RMI}, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2020/05/tri_states_responsible_energy_program_case_study.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }