Replacing Louisiana Coal Plants With Clean Energy Portfolios Would Save $1.1 Billion Each Year by 2030

New Orleans, LA -- A new report from Sierra Club finds that retiring four of Louisiana’s coal burning units would save $1.1 billion, prevent 349 asthma attacks, and save 51 lives annually. Louisiana’s dirty coal plants only account for 8% of all electric generation in the state while contributing 99.7% of sulfur dioxide, 46% of nitrogen oxide, and 42% of carbon dioxide pollution of all electric generating facilities in the state. 

Link to the report here 

Sierra Club makes the case that clean energy portfolios will save lives and utility customers money. Three of the four coal units reviewed by Sierra Club neighbor communities with a large Black population. Not only do these coal plants contribute to health problems like asthma, a Harvard study says that areas with elevated particulate matter pollution increases the mortality rate for people who contract COVID-19. 

The coal to clean energy transition is happening now in Louisiana. In May, SWEPCO proposed retiring its Dolet Hills coal plant five years ahead of schedule. Shortly thereafter, SWEPCO received regulatory approval to bring 464MW of wind energy to its customers in Louisiana and Arkansas, saving them $2 billion over the thirty year lifetime of the project. The utility’s project will also add 200MW of solar power in northwest Louisiana. 

Cherelle Blazer, Senior Director, International Climate and Policy Campaign for Sierra Club said: 

“Retiring coal plants and transitioning to clean energy is a transformational opportunity for our state that can be used to advance equity in education, public health, jobs and beyond. This is where Gov. John Bel Edwards can make an indelible impact on the lives of Louisianans who have been ignored by his predecessors. We need strong leadership from our Governor in order to facilitate a justice-centered transition to clean energy.” 

Angelle Bradford, Delta Sierra Club Chapter Executive Committee member and doctoral student at Tulane University School of Medicine said: 

“I’m in school to become a cardiovascular physiologist because I care about people and I want to help them fulfill their lives through good health. However, health outcomes are not just about individual decisions to eat healthy and exercise. Health outcomes are also determined by zip codes and whether people live near major sources of pollution or have access to health services. We can and should transition from coal to clean energy because it will save lives.”