The battleground is the Big Sandy coal power plant in eastern Kentucky. The owner, American Electric Power, under pressure from coal proponents, agreed to do a $1 billion retrofit rather than switching to natural gas. Victory was short-lived.
Writing for the 'energy rush' series, Eric Lipton details the 'perfect storm' that has hit the coal industry. First there were the environmental regulations that originated with the 1990, Bush Clean Air Act amendments. Then the environmental community, aided by $50 million from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and $26 million from Aubrey K. McClendon, the (embattled) chief executive of Chesapeake Energy, targeted coal plants in major campaigns. Finally, "a surge in production of natural gas through the process of hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, has sent gas prices plummeting."
"The math screams at you to do gas," said Michael G. Morris, the chairman of the plant's operator, American Electric Power, whose company is the nation's largest consumer of coal." Nonetheless, the decision made last summer to switch to natural gas was reversed, much to the relief of legislators, the coal companies, land owners, railroad companies, and union leaders.
The $1 billion retrofit to meet clean air regulations would have been financed by a rate increase if the state utility commission had agreed.
Lipton provides perspectives from all sectors - those who make their living from coal, those trying to shut the plant down, and consumers of the electric power reluctant to pay the rate surcharge to finance the retrofit.
Lipton updates the May 29 article in his Green blog the next day:
"American Electric Power conceded defeat on Wednesday (May 30), at least temporarily, in its push to save Big Sandy, its 49-year-old coal-burning plant in eastern Kentucky, surprising state officials there by withdrawing its $1 billion plan to retrofit the power plant so that it can meet tough new federal environmental regulations.
AEP, as the Ohio-based company is known, did not formally declare that it was retiring Big Sandy. But it will now need to at least temporarily shut it down because it will not have enough time to install the required pollution controls..."
The blog does not indicate whether the plant will be converted to burn natural gas.
FULL STORY: THE ENERGY RUSH: Even in Coal Country, the Fight for an Industry
Appalachian Coal's Last Wheezing Breath
As the nation abandons old-school West Virginia coal, a scarred and cratered landscape remains. Can residents build a new economy and overcome the legacy of an often-brutal industry?
A Win for ‘Keep it in the Ground’
Coal mining in Wyoming will take a major hit as a result of a U.S. Department of Interior plan to cease future leasing of coal mines in the nation's most productive coal mining basin. The decision casts a spotlight on the presidential election.
Mountain Coal States vs. West Coast Cities
A legal battle is being waged between the coal-exporting states of Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and coastal cities in California, Oregon, and Washington that pits the power of local land-use authority against the protection of interstate commerce.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie