Rebecca Kling, rebecca.kling@sierraclub.org
BISMARCK, ND -- 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 and how it compares to what science demands.
Basin Electric, which is headquartered in Bismarck, ND, and provides power to almost three million customers across nine states, received a failing grade of 6 out of 100, indicating the utility’s lack of commitment to replacing its coal fleet with renewable energy.
“The Dakotas have a strong and historic link to fossil fuels,” said Steve Payne, Senior Campaign Representative of the Beyond Coal Campaign in the Dakotas, “but that era is passing. Even putting aside the climate crisis, and a need for carbon-neutral energy sources, clean energy is simply less expensive than burning coal or fossil gas. If Basin Electric doesn’t make this transition voluntarily, the market will force their hand.”
“The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report bore out what we’ve long suspected of utility executives who use ‘carbon pledges’ to mollify demands for climate action: They are all talk, but no real action,” said Mary Anne Hitt, National Director of Campaigns at the Sierra Club. “‘Greenwashing’ is alive and well with utilities looking to secretly double down on dirty fossil fuels, and avoid a true transition to clean energy. This report and utility tracker website gives customers the transparency they need to hold their utilities accountable now and in the future.”
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.