Policy Actions Delay Planned U.S. Coal Plant Retirements Over Reliability Concerns
Policy actions are delaying planned U.S. coal plant retirements, keeping plants operating beyond scheduled closures to…Read the full report …...
Visual Primer: Policy Actions Delay Planned U.S. Coal Plant Retirements Over Reliability Concerns
Policy actions are delaying planned U.S. coal plant retirements, keeping plants operating beyond scheduled closures to support grid reliability amid rising electricity demand. In 2025, 8 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity was expected to be retired, but only 2.6 GW were shut down, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Federal Policy Shifts Slow Coal Plant Retirements Amid Grid Reliability Concerns: EIA
The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Feb. 23 reported that power plant owners and operators planned to retire nearly 11 gigawatts of utility-scale generating capacity in 2026, but recent federal reliability actions have already delayed several closures and could continue to reshape the timeline. Coal-fired plants and older natural gas units account for almost all…...
EPA Rolls Back 2024 Mercury Emission Rules for Coal Power Plants, Restoring 2012 Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 20 finalized a rule repealing the 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS, for coal- and oil-fired power plants, restoring the original 2012 requirements. The action returns compliance obligations to the earlier framework, which regulators determined continues to protect public health while reducing compliance…...
U.S. Energy Department Awards $175 Million to Upgrade Coal Plants
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 11 awarded $175 million to six projects aimed at modernizing and extending the life of coal-fired power plants serving rural and remote communities, advancing a broader $525 million initiative to strengthen existing generation assets and bolster grid reliability. The funding targets upgrades designed to improve plant efficiency, increase dependable…...
EPA Extends Coal Ash Compliance Deadlines to Support Grid Reliability While Preserving Environmental Safeguards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 6 finalized a rule extending key compliance deadlines for coal combustion residual management unit, or CCRMU, and groundwater monitoring requirements, providing regulated utilities with additional time to meet federal coal ash standards while maintaining protections for public health and the environment. The action aligns with broader federal efforts…...
U.S. Energy Department Extends Emergency Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Running Through Winter
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 19 issued an emergency order directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to ensure continued availability of the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive, Michigan through Feb. 17, 2026. The department determined that grid conditions in the Midwest remain strained heading into the winter season, with the region…...
U.S. Energy Department Announces $355 Million Funding to Boost Critical Mineral Production and Modern Mining Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 14 launched two funding opportunities totaling $355 million to expand domestic production of critical materials and support the development of advanced mining systems. The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy issued the actions as part of a broader federal strategy to strengthen supply chains that support energy production, manufacturing,…...
U.S. Energy Department Offers $100 Million to Modernize and Extend Lifespan of Existing Coal Power Plants
The U.S. Department of Energy on Oct. 31 issued a notice of funding opportunity for up to $100 million to refurbish and modernize the nation’s coal-fired power plants, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and longevity. The initiative builds on the department’s earlier plan to invest $625 million to expand and revitalize the coal sector,…...