Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Little Rock, AR -- On September 15, 2021, SWEPCO, the state’s second largest monopoly electric utility, announced its plan to operate the massive and increasingly uneconomic Flint Creek coal power plant until 2038. Utility staff also indicated that a new fracked natural gas power plant is likely, despite the widespread availability of clean, affordable renewable generation that could create jobs across the state. The plan, called an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), details different scenarios on how the utility will meet energy demand for the next twenty years and beyond. While a preferred plan has not been finalized, and stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input, SWEPCO’s announcement signals the utility’s commitment to a fossil fuel future that will only worsen the climate crisis.
The IRP is mandated by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities like SWEPCO in exchange for their monopoly status and guaranteed return on approved investments. Sierra Club will continue to provide feedback to SWEPCO on how it can improve its energy resource planning modeling and why the utility should focus on transitioning from fossil fuels to a clean energy portfolio.
Statement from Glen Hooks, Sierra Club’s Arkansas Chapter Director:
“All across Arkansas, we are seeing communities enthusiastically embrace clean and affordable solar and wind energy. Learning that SWEPCO wants to buck that trend and charge ratepayers millions to prop up the aging and dirty Flint Creek coal plant is bad news for the health and pocketbooks of Arkansans.
“SWEPCO could be a nationwide leader in transitioning from climate changing fuels like coal and fracked natural gas if it were to focus its investments more fully on a clean energy portfolio. It’s disappointing that SWEPCO plans to operate its 43 year old Flint Creek coal plant until 2038 and highly alarming that the utility is strongly considering more fracked gas power.
“Burning coal is the single dirtiest source of electricity that we have. Fracked gas releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants like methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change even more severely than carbon dioxide.
“Just last week, medical professionals around the world unequivocally stated that climate change is the single greatest risk to human health, so the news that SWEPCO is going to double down on climate changing coal and gas should concern every single Arkansan.
“SIerra Club will continue pushing for the development and dispatch of clean wind and solar energy in Arkansas, and we urge SWEPCO to abandon plans to invest in fossil fuels and work with us to build safe and healthy communities together. It just makes sense for our power bills, our health, and our environment.”
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.