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A proposal to reduce Xcel Energy Inc.’s coal-fired power generation along Colorado’s Front Range, and replace the use of coal with natural gas or other power sources, has gained the backing of Democrats and Republicans, Gov. Bill Ritter’s administration, environmentalists, the utility and the state’s natural gas industry.

The bill — HB 1365, dubbed the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act — was introduced at the state Legislature Tuesday and speeded into its first committee hearing before the House Transportation and Energy Committee, The Denver Business Journal reports.

In other coverage:

Vincent Carroll, The Denver Post: When lawmakers appear hell-bent on passing an important and complex bill as quickly as possible, maybe we should wonder why. What’s the rush? On Monday, the Colorado House advanced a plan that is likely to result in Xcel Energy converting three coal plants to natural gas. Most House members only heard of the scheme a couple of weeks ago. They didn’t even see the bill until last week. And yet, 53 of 65 representatives — Democrats and Republicans alike — were quickly satisfied that it’s a splendid deal.