Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Baton Rouge, LA – At the end of May, Cleco filed the final draft of its long-range energy plan with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC). The utility’s preferred plan continues to prioritize the installation of unproven carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for its Madison Unit 3 coal facility. Cleco also proposes the construction of a new 400 megawatt combined cycle gas plant because, should it become operational, the CCS project at Madison Unit 3 will decrease the coal plant’s capacity by 200 megawatts. The addition of CCS to Madison or a new gas plant will require PSC pre-approval.
Cleco also proposed the addition of 740 megawatts of solar capacity through a combination of power purchase agreements and utility-owned projects plus 150 megawatts of battery storage by 2027. Additionally, Cleco plans to retire its Rodemacher Unit 2 coal facility no later than 2028.
Sierra Club and other organizations that intervened throughout the process have until July 31st to submit final comments, disputed issues of fact, or alternative recommendations to the PSC. PSC staff will evaluate Cleco’s proposal and responses submitted by stakeholders and provide final comments to the Commission by August 31st. It’s likely the PSC will vote on Cleco’s energy plan in September.
Statement from Emma Hopkins, Representative of Sierra Club’s Louisiana Beyond Coal Campaign:
“It’s baffling to me that Cleco executives think it’s a good idea to spend $1 billion on carbon sequestration plus another several hundred million more on a new gas plant to effectively break-even on its energy generation. All the while the technology is unproven, we still don’t know who is actually going to pay for the CCS project, and it comes with other concerns like the massive amount of fresh water that’s needed for it to work effectively. A combination of renewable energy, storage, efficiency, and new transmission could meet energy demand of Cleco’s customers while reducing emissions, water use, and carbon and methane emissions from burning fossil fuels.”
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.