coal

FERC Must Not Stifle Clean Energy Development and Innovation with PURPA Changes

FERC announced a new rulemaking today that would dramatically alter how small clean energy resources are compensated under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)

REPORT: Replacing Arizona’s Coal Fleet with Solar Power Would Save Customers Billions of Dollars

An independent analysis released today finds that Arizona’s electric utilities can save more than $3 billion by replacing all remaining coal-burning power plants with new renewable energy resources. The Arizona Coal Plant Valuation Study, conducted by energy consulting firm Strategen, analyzes the cost of replacing the 11 existing coal units that provide power to Arizona customers with renewable energy, like solar and wind, as well as market purchases. These savings exceed $10 billion when also accounting for the societal costs of greenhouse gas emissions and the financial tools available to help transition away from coal. All units evaluated are slated for retirement after 2035, with the analysis assuming an earlier retirement of 2023.

Sierra Club, Environmental Groups, Vistra Propose Settlement Agreement to Retire E.D. Edwards Coal Plant and Fund Community Projects

The Sierra Club, along with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Respiratory Health Association (RHA), are seeking approval of a proposed settlement with Illinois Power Resources Generating, LLC (IPRG), an affiliate of Vistra Energy, of a Clean Air Act lawsuit brought by environmental organizations in 2013. The settlement, which must still undergo review and approval from the Judge in the case, includes the retirement of the E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant by the end of 2022 and $8.6 million in funding for workforce development and public health and environmental projects that benefit Peoria-area communities.

Major Sierra Club ad campaign calls out Duke Energy’s sunny claim of moving ‘beyond coal’

Sierra Club’s new national ad in response, “Duke Energy burns coal like it's 1499” kicks off today and mocks Duke’s claim of moving “beyond coal,” by noting other ancient practices that have been left by the wayside while Duke continues to burn an archaic, toxic energy source: burlap sacks for clothing, whale blubber lanterns for light and flag signals for communications.

Updated plans show Duke Energy’s dangerous intention to burn dirty coal for several more decades, add massive amounts of fracked gas

RALEIGH, N.C. — Duke Energy wants to burn dirty, uneconomic coal for several more decades and add massive amounts of dangerous fracked gas in North and South Carolina, according to its latest filings with state regulators.

Sierra Club Urges PSC to Prevent WEC Energy Group from Charging Customers $138 Million in Extra Costs for Coal Plants

Today, Sierra Club filed direct testimony in WEC Energy Group’s rate case, asserting that WEC is asking customers for $138 million more than is fair and reasonable due to costs associated with the company’s aging coal-fired power plants. WEC Energy Group, which operates as Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and WEPCO (We Energies), owns all or part of seven coal plants in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, all of which are uneconomic to operate.

State regulators order Duke Energy to provide updated energy plans examining early coal retirements, and how alternative resources stack up against fossil fuels

North Carolina regulators on Tuesday issued their order on Duke Energy’s 2018 long term energy plans, directing the utility to analyze whether continuing to operate its aging, coal-burning power plants is the least cost alternative option when compared on a level playing field with alternative resources, like solar, battery storage and energy efficiency. The N.C. Utilities Commission also directed Duke to include the full costs for disposal of coal ash in making any comparison with the costs of alternative resources.

Testing Finds Arsenic, Lead, Radium in Drinking Water Near Consumers Coal Plant

Recent tests conducted by the Sierra Club have shown that drinking water is contaminated in neighborhoods around Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell Coal Plant in West Olive. Results found elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and radium in homes that draw their water from private wells.

Local Heart of Illinois Group Statement on Announcement of Four Vistra Coal-Plant Retirements

Vistra Energy announced today that it is closing its coal burning power plants in Canton, Havana, Hennepin, and Coffeen.

Statement on Announcement of Four Vistra Coal-Plant Retirements

Vistra Energy announced today that it is closing its coal burning power plants in Canton, Havana, Hennepin, and Coffeen.

New Report Shows Evergy’s Expensive Coal Fleet Bad For Ratepayers

Kansas City, KS -- Earlier today, the  Sierra Club released a report on Evergy’s coal fleet titled Kansas Pays the Price: A Comparison of Coal Plants and Renewable Energy for Electric Consumers of Evergy, KCP&L, and Westar. The report finds that the coal plants operated by Evergy--a company that provides power across eastern Kansas and western Missouri under the KCP&L and Westar brands--are losing hundreds of millions of dollars on coal power relative to market energy pricing, and will continue to do so for decades to come.

Sierra Club and Allies Launch Lawsuit Against Trump’s Dirty Power Plan

The Sierra Club and a coalition of environmental allies launched a lawsuit today challenging former coal lobbyist and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s “ACE” rule -- known by many as the Dirty Power Plan.