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Page added on July 29, 2012
Record number of coal-fired generators to be shut down in 2012
Facing declining demand for electricity and stiff federal environmental regulations, coal plant operators are planning to retire 175 coal-fired generators, or 8.5 percent of the total coal-fired capacity in the United States, according to an analysis by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
A record-high 57 generators will shut down in 2012, representing 9 gigawatts of electrical capacity, according to EIA. In 2015, nearly 10 gigawatts of capacity from 61 coal-fired generators will be retired.
While many of those coal plants are old and relatively inefficient, the scope of this new planned shutdown is unprecedented.
“The coal-fired capacity expected to be retired over the next five years is more than four times greater than retirements performed during the preceding five-year period,” EIA noted in the analysis.
The generators that will be retired between 2012 and 2016 are “approximately 12% more efficient than the group of units, on average, that retired during 2009-2011,” according to the EIA.
The low price of natural gas resulting from the shale boom has led to reduced coal consumption and made the shutdowns necessary, experts say.
But federal and state regulations have also damaged the industry and contributed to plant closures.
“The cost of compliance with anticipated and existing Federal environmental regulations such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) is a factor,” the EIA noted. “Particularly in the case of older, smaller units that are not used heavily, owners may conclude it is more cost efficient to retire plants rather than make additional investments.”
Most of the coal-fired generator retirements will occur in the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio River Valley and the Southeast.
14 Comments on "Record number of coal-fired generators to be shut down in 2012"
Plantagenet on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 3:40 pm
Of course coal-fired electric plants are closing—thanks to frakking, natural gas is much cheaper than coal now.
DMyers on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 4:38 pm
To the extent that the coal generator shut down plan is reliant on the myth of cheap, abundant natural gas going forward, we are merely changing our path to destruction.
If I may add a little squirrel adage: “‘Tis easier to empty the nest of nuts than ’tis to fill it back up.”
The preference to dismantle parts of the grid rather than upgrade is more proof of the impact of finance (i.e., lack thereof) on energy-related outcomes.
Kenz300 on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 7:07 pm
These old coal fired power plants inefficient, costly to operate and damaging to the environment. They had been hanging on long passed their useful life.
Cheap natural gas has hastened their demise. Wind and solar get cheaper every years adding additional competitive pressure.
Global investment into renewable energy sources is surpassing monies spent on fossil fuel power plants according to Bloomberg.
Solar, wave energy, biomass, and wind installations drew approximately US$187 billion last year, according to the report. In contrast, a total of $157 billion was invested into traditional power sources.
The transition to safe, clean alternative energy has begun.
mike on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 7:49 pm
this will be interesting when it turns out the shale boom was actually a little shale purp
Duke on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 8:01 pm
Burning all the coal was creating an artificial cloud of Aerosol over the continent. ie Global Dimming. Now that cloud is gone and the mean surface temperature over North America is creating a new dust bowl. When was the last time this happened? That’s right the Great Depression and what happened to agriculture back then? The same thing that’s happening right now.
Duke on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 8:03 pm
The last time we cut down coal burning was in 1930 to 1940.
C. White on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 11:11 pm
Coal power plant operators will soon be calling this company very soon. It is backed by the DOE.
http://www.unitypoweralliance.com/near-zero-emissions.aspx
http://www.unitypoweralliance.com/media-center/in-the-news.aspx
http://www.thermoenergy.com/
C. White on Sun, 29th Jul 2012 11:19 pm
http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2012/07/23/daily47-ThermoEnergy-raises-17M-via-common-stock-sale.html
Kenjamkov on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 12:17 am
No worries everyone, China and India will pick up the slack.
BillT on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 12:34 am
Fools can be found in the most unlikely places. Granted, the plants are probably way past their efficient lives, but that does not mean they are not necessary. There are also a number of nuclear plants that are past their safe lives, but they are being kept alive by force of government.
Those who believe that this gas bubble will last are among the people mentioned in my first sentence. Add in those who believe that ‘renewables’ are going to replace all of the carbon based energy sources we use today and you get quite a crowd.
Take away the government(taxpayer) subsidies and most renewables would disappear because they are net ‘LOSES’ of energy and not net gains. Not to mention that they would not generate a profit for their owners. No profit, no existence in today’s capitalist world.
The area I lived in is served by coal plants, hydro, and nuclear and all are approaching their demise. Solar is not practical, not enough sun year round. Wind? Nope! Same reason. Bio? Nope! Electric power is going to get much more expensive and be much less reliable as the years go on…
SOS on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 1:18 am
The news about coal is a shame, at least for those of us that want affordable, abundant energy.
Gilles Fecteau on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 11:03 am
Nobody has mentioned the fact that the US has passed peak coal in term of thermal energy produced. Contrary to the coal industry claims, the US is running out of high quality coal. What’s left has only 1/4 the energy content per ton, making it impractical on old plants.
DC on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 11:31 am
While no one would suggest shutting down a coal plant down isnt a good thing, there is really no upside here, not really. A shut down coal plant still leaves mountains of (radio-active) coal ash, settling ponds(poorly constructed) and the plants themselves, which will never be cleaned up or dismantled properly. Likely fate will become, what is it called..a super-fund site? The operators declare bankruptcy, go apply for subsidies for a slightly less dirty ‘modern’ coal plant, and leave everyone else on the hook for the clean up costs of the old one.
B.A.U.
C. White on Mon, 30th Jul 2012 3:10 pm
THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THIS!!!!!
http://www.unitypoweralliance.com/
It is backed by Robert Trump…Donald’s brother.