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This case study proposes the development of an "energy park" in Pueblo, Colorado, as a clean, reliable replacement for the Comanche Unit 3 coal-fired power plant slated for retirement in 2031. The energy park model integrates renewable generation, short-duration batteries, flexible industrial loads (such as thermal batteries and electrolyzers), and long-duration energy storage to mimic the dispatch profile of a firm power resource while driving local economic development.

This briefing explores "solar for coal swaps," a private-sector financial model where third parties purchase and retire uneconomic coal assets from utilities in exchange for providing new solar generation. The document argues that this approach can accelerate the clean energy transition, particularly for municipal and cooperative utilities, by leveraging private capital to bypass utility inertia and reduce consumer costs.

This report proposes the creation of an "energy park" in Pueblo, Colorado, as an economic development strategy to replace the retiring Comanche coal plant. The strategy involves a diversified portfolio of clean energy resources and "flexible" industrial technologies to maintain tax revenue and grid reliability while reducing costs for electricity customers.