Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Sierra Club released a groundbreaking report and research tool today, which grades utilities based on their plans to retire coal plants, stop building new gas plants, and invest in clean energy -- allowing readers to judge each utility’s climate progress based on its stated carbon reduction goals and how that compares to what science actually demands. Sierra Club will update the scores in this analysis on a regular basis.
“It’s encouraging to see our state’s largest utilities score better than most of their peers but there’s always room for improvement, said Glen Hooks, Sierra Club’s Arkansas Chapter Director. “SWEPCO could be among the top utilities in the country transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy if it would reconsider the continued operation of the aging Flint Creek coal plant.”
In addition to The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report, Sierra Club also launched an interactive website which allows users to look up their utility’s grade, its coal plant retirement schedule (if one exists), its planned gas plant capacity, and its investments in clean energy. SWEPCO leads large Arkansas utilities with a letter grade of “B” while Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Entergy Arkansas each received a letter grade of “C”. Entergy Arkansas trails Entergy Mississippi, which received a “B” while it leads Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans, which both received an “F”.
The website also includes a national map to help users look up their service area and a digital dashboard for researchers, energy analysts, and media partners to keep track of each utility’s progress over the next decade.
“Arkansans are reaping the vast benefits that come with renewable energy investments now, like new jobs, lower bills, and cleaner air and water,” said Hooks. “Clean energy is our present and our future, and this tool will help customers and investors ensure this trend continues.”
The report and dashboard sources its information from utilities’ long-term energy plan -- known as an Integrated Resource Plan (IRPs) -- the Energy Information Administration, S&P Global Market Intelligence, and major announcements from the 50 utilities that generate the most electricity from coal and gas. Those 50 worst offenders include investor-owned utilities, power authorities (like the Tennessee Valley Authority), generation and transmission co-ops, and large municipal utilities. In total, it examines plans for 79 operating companies owned by 50 unique parent companies.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.