Ricky Junquera, ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org, 617.599.7048
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Today, the Sierra Club held a press conference to release a report on the economic feasibility of JEA transitioning away from fossil fuel energy generation to clean renewable energy. Key findings show that retiring and replacing JEA’s Northside Coal Units (Units 1 and 2) with clean, renewable energy will save customers $15 million to $60 million per year while cutting climate pollution and local air pollution emissions by more than half. Also, an 80% carbon-free electricity system by 2030 for JEA can be affordable, reliable, and meet demand even under challenging conditions.
“This report shows that JEA can make a just and equitable transition to clean energy that will not only safeguard Jacksonville residents from harmful emissions but will protect its customers against the financial risks associated with fossil fuels like coal and gas. Jacksonville’s most vulnerable communities are already dealing with high energy burdens and the fallout from the effects of climate change like the extreme heat and severe storms. JEA has a key opportunity to save millions of dollars for Jacksonville and its customers by switching to clean energy that will make ALL of our communities healthier, safer, and more resilient.” Deborah Thompson, Vice President of the NAACP, Jacksonville Branch.
“For many years the argument against a municipal utility converting to renewable energy sources as it would be expensive and translate to increased costs for customers. While this argument had merit years ago, today it is a persistent myth impeding the transition from highly-polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The Sierra Club report dispels this myth by demonstrating how JEA can transition to renewable energy sources at a cost savings and minimal impact on electricity bills. The timeliness of this report cannot be overstated because JEA is developing an Integrated Resources Plan (IRP), its roadmap for the next ten to twenty years. JEA leaders would be wise to use findings of this report to craft an IRP to modernize JEA’s energy generation portfolio.” Logan Cross, Chair of the Sierra Club Northeast Florida.
"Solar United Neighbors applauds the work of the Sierra Club in detailing a cleaner, brighter, and more equitable path forward and how utilities--especially municipally-owned--can lead the way," Heaven Campbell, Florida Program Director shared. "Over-reliance on natural gas and barriers to equitable ratepayer participation, like robust net metering programs are solvable issues that stymy community economic growth and resilience. We hope JEA will seize the opportunity for collaboration with grassroots organizations and chart a better path forward."
“The best way for JEA to find common ground and be bold in charting a transition to clean energy is to ask the market what can fulfill its energy demands in the most economically efficient way,” said Joey McKinnon, P.G., Florida Director for The Common Ground Project. “The IRP process can include the use of All Source Requests for Proposals to determine what source of power can best meet the needs of JEA moving forward and help safeguard its most financially vulnerable customers against the volatility of fossil fuels.”
JEA is Florida’s largest municipal utility, serving nearly 490,000 customers in Jacksonville. In 2021, JEA met 98 percent of its electricity demand with fossil fuels, including two large coal units at the Northside Generating Station. JEA has made a series of decisions that have led to rising costs. The utility raised customer bills by roughly 12 percent at the end of 2021, and additional cost increases are likely as fossil fuel prices continue to rise.
JEA is currently developing an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that will guide the next ten to twenty years of its power generation. The IRP presents JEA with an opportunity to examine the current costs of its fleet of power plants as well as assess the current market for cost-effective, clean options.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.