For CPS Energy, the $1.4 billion acquisition of four natural gas-fueled power plants last month was cause for celebration.
But what the city-owned utility touted as a “home run” for San Antonio is being criticized as a step backward both for the utility’s transparency and clean air efforts, according to environmental advocates and some members of CPS’ Community Input Committee.
DeeDee Belmares, a clean energy advocate for the climate justice organization Public Citizen, said she’s also concerned by a point of optimism for the utility — the youthfulness of the plants, which were built between 2020 and 2024. CPS President and CEO Rudy Garza said he was excited they had “a ton of life ahead of them.”…