What Happened
In the US, the economics of coal power generation are marginal at best, and a large number of coal plants have shut down as cheaper renewables and natural gas have surged.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has used a number of methods to swim against this economic tide, the simplest of which has been to order plants scheduled for closure to remain operational.
Key Details
- The Department of Energy has used the Federal Power Act and a Trump executive order declaring an energy emergency to block the closure of coal plants nationwide.
- The orders requiring plants to stay open have been accompanied by a steady stream of triumphal press releases, suggesting that the Department of Energy was taking the step solely to ensure grid reliability.
- The latest of these releases, issued on Monday, pertains to a plant in Centralia, Washington, that was scheduled to close last year to be converted into natural gas generation.
- A Department of Energy emergency order had kept it operational over the winter, but that order was set to expire yesterday.
Background Context
In the US, the economics of coal power generation are marginal at best, and a large number of coal plants have shut down as cheaper renewables and natural gas have surged. The Trump administration has used a number of methods to swim against this economic tide, the simplest of which has been to order plants scheduled for closure to remain operational. The Department of Energy has used the Federal Power Act and a Trump executive order declaring an energy emergency to block the closure of coal plants nationwide. The orders requiring plants to stay open have been accompanied by a steady stream of triumphal press releases, suggesting that the Department of Energy was taking the step solely to en
What To Watch Next
Track official statements, independent verification, and regional impact updates in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Editorial Next Step
Add your local context, fact checks, quotes, and analysis before or after publication.
Source: Ars Technica – All content – Original Link
Source: Ars Technica – All content
