When Xcel Energy announced plans to partially close its coal-fired plant in Pueblo and increase its use of renewable energy, there were concerns about the economic impact the job losses here would have on the community. It turns out the overall economic impact may be positive, if a new study is to be believed.

Xcel plans to scale back operations at the Comanche power plant, which will result in the loss of about 80 jobs. Representatives from the utility company have said they expect those job losses to be absorbed mostly through retirements and other attrition over the next several years.

Meanwhile, the company plans to build and operate new wind and solar farms around the state, including several solar farms in Pueblo. According to a study by the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, that work will create hundreds of construction jobs within our community over the next five years.

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.