Coal plants delay closures as demand for electricity rises

Some of the nation’s largest coal plants are postponing planned retirements due to increasing electricity demand and policy uncertainties, despite the long-term decline of coal as an energy source.

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• Operators of several major U.S. coal plants, including the Bowen plant in Georgia, are reconsidering retirement timelines due to forecasts of higher power demand.
• Recent policy shifts, such as potential rollbacks of environmental regulations under the Trump administration, are creating uncertainty for plant owners.
• New coal plant construction remains unlikely, as renewable energy and natural gas dominate new power development.

Why this matters:

Extending the lifespan of coal plants means higher greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change. Despite short-term delays, coal is still being replaced by cleaner energy sources, but these pauses slow the transition.

Related EHN coverage: When coal plants decrease pollution or shut down, people have fewer asthma attacks