GRAND JUNCTION, Colo -- State regulators are gathering comment on Xcel Energy's plan to use less coal to produce electricity. Xcel has proposed spending about $1.3 billion to convert coal-fired power plants to natural gas in Denver. They also want to close a coal plant in Boulder. The proposal is designed to comply with a new Colorado law aimed at cutting pollution from power plants.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission held a hearing in Grand Junction Monday night in order to find out what local folks think of the idea. Coal miners and their supporters filled the Old Courthouse building in hopes of telling the P.U.C. what they think could happen if demand for Colorado coal goes down.

"If I were to loose my job, it doesn't just effect me. It effects our schools, it effects the businesses in our communities, the people who supply the mines," Mountain Coal Company employee, Paul Thliveries explains.

Critics of the plan say it's not right for the state to favor natural gas over coal. They also question whether electric rates could rise because of the volatility of gas prices. Other coal supporters say the environmental impact of coal power is not as negative as some believe.

"I would say that in ten years beyond this the air quality is not going to be changed one bit," Mountain Coal Company's Environmental Engineer Kathy Welt speculates.

But Xcel says they are making these upgrades now in order to avoid costly changes or mandates from the federal government in the future.

"We need to do as best we can to conserve as many coal jobs as we can in this state, as opposed to someone who might come in from the federal government and say "you are going to do this, this and this,'" Xcel Spokesman Mark Stutz explains.

Environmental advocates may not often agree with the natural gas industry. But, they say gas is cleaner burning than coal and that the coal plants in question are at the end of their useful life.

The Public Utilities Commission will hold one more public hearing in Denver, on September 23rd.

Stay tuned to KJCT News 8 as this issue continues to develop.