IER Identifies Coal Fired Power Plants Likely to Close as Result of EPA Regulations
EPAs 28 GW Assault on Coal
"So if somebody wants to build a coal-fired plant they can. It's just that it will bankrupt them..." --Barack Obama speaking to San Francisco Chronicle, January 2008
EPAs 28 GW Assault on Coal (PDF)
The United States has the world's largest coal resources. In fact we have 50 percent more coal than Russia, the country with the next largest reserves. But coal use in the United States is under assault. Before becoming President, Barak Obama promised to bankrupt coal companies. As President, he has tried various strategies to force Americans to use less coal. After failing to pass a national energy tax (cap-and-trade), the President vowed to continue his attack on coal stating, there is "more than one way to skin a cat." Currently, EPA is leading the Obama administration's assault on coal with a number of new regulations. Two of the most important are the "transport rule" and the "toxics rule" (Utility MACT). Combined, these regulations will systematically reduce access to affordable and reliable energy. According to our report:
- EPA Regulations Will Close At Least 28 GW of Generating Capacity
- Current Retirements Almost Twice As High As EPA Predicted
- Announced and Projected Retirements Higher Than Worst Case Scenarios
- EPA's New Regulations Will Hit States Trying To Get Back On Their Feet
- Ohio: 2,894 MW retired, 8.6% of state total generating capacity.
- West Virginia: 2,448 MW retired, 14% of state total generating capacity.
- Indiana: 2,168 MW retired, 7.5% of state total generating capacity.
- Tennessee: 1,376 MW retired, 6.2% of state total generating capacity.
- Missouri: 1,325 MW retired, 6.3% of state total generating capacity.
- Wisconsin: 902 MW retired, 5% of state total generating capacity.
| Plant Name | Unit | City | County | State | Capacity (MW) | Year | Fuel Source | Citation |
| Colbert | 1 | Tuscumbia | Colbert | AL | 176 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Colbert | 2 | Tuscumbia | Colbert | AL | 176 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Colbert | 3 | Tuscumbia | Colbert | AL | 176 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Colbert | 4 | Tuscumbia | Colbert | AL | 172 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Navajo | 3 | Page | Coconino | AZ | 750 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| BP Wilmington Calciner | GEN 1 | Wilmington | Los Angeles | CA | 29 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Rio Bravo Poso | CFB | Bakersfield | Kern | CA | 33 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Northside Generating Station | 1 | Jacksonville | Duval | FL | 275 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Northside Generating Station | 2 | Jacksonville | Duval | FL | 275 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Scholz | 1 | Sneeds | Jackson | FL | 49 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Scholz | 2 | Sneeds | Jackson | FL | 49 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Harllee Branch | 1 | Milledgeville | Putnam | GA | 262 | 2015 | Coal | Southern Company Comments on EPA NESHAP Action (Aug. 4, 2011). |
| Harllee Branch | 2 | Milledgeville | Putnam | GA | 319 | 2015 | Coal | Southern Company Comments on EPA NESHAP Action (Aug. 4, 2011). |
| Dubuque | 1 | Dubuque | Dubuque | IA | 35 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Dubuque | 5 | Dubuque | Dubuque | IA | 30 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Earl F Wisdom | 1 | Spencer | Clay | IA | 38 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Dallman | 31 | Springfield | Sangamon | IL | 86 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Dallman | 32 | Springfield | Sangamon | IL | 87 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Hutsonville | 3 | Hutsonville | Crawford | IL | 75 | 2012 | Coal | Ameren to shutter 2 coal plants in Illinois, Chicago Tribune (Oct. 4, 2011). |
| Hutsonville | 4 | Hutsonville | Crawford | IL | 75 | 2012 | Coal | Ameren to shutter 2 coal plants in Illinois, Chicago Tribune (Oct. 4, 2011). |
| Marion | 4 | Marion | Williamson | IL | 170 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Meredosia | 4 | Meredosia | Morgan | IL | 166 | 2012 | Oil | Ameren to shutter 2 coal plants in Illinois, Chicago Tribune (Oct. 4, 2011). |
| Meredosia | 5 | Meredosia | Morgan | IL | 203 | 2012 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule); Ameren to shutter 2 coal plants in Illinois, Chicago Tribune (Oct. 4, 2011). |
| State Line | 1 | Hammond | Lake | IN | 197 | 2015 | Coal | Aging Indiana Power Plant to Shut Down, Cutting Chicago-Area Air Pollution, Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2011). |
| State Line | 2 | Hammond | Lake | IN | 100 | 2015 | Coal | Aging Indiana Power Plant to Shut Down, Cutting Chicago-Area Air Pollution, Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2011). |
| State Line | 3 | Hammond | Lake | IN | 318 | 2015 | Coal | Aging Indiana Power Plant to Shut Down, Cutting Chicago-Area Air Pollution, Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2011). |
| State Line | 4 | Hammond | Lake | IN | 180 | 2015 | Coal | Aging Indiana Power Plant to Shut Down, Cutting Chicago-Area Air Pollution, Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2011). |
| Tanners Creek | 1 | Lawrenceburg | Dearborn | IN | 145 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Tanners Creek | 2 | Lawrenceburg | Lawrenceburg | IN | 153 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Tanners Creek | 3 | Lawrenceburg | Lawrenceburg | IN | 215 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Wabash River | 2 | Terre Haute | Vigo | IN | 113 | 2014 | Coal | EPA regs may force Duke to shut Indiana coal plant, Reuters (Sep. 20, 2011) |
| Wabash River | 3 | Terre Haute | Vigo | IN | 123 | 2014 | Coal | EPA regs may force Duke to shut Indiana coal plant, Reuters (Sep. 20, 2011) |
| Wabash River | 4 | Terre Haute | Vigo | IN | 113 | 2014 | Coal | EPA regs may force Duke to shut Indiana coal plant, Reuters (Sep. 20, 2011) |
| Wabash River | 5 | Terre Haute | Vigo | IN | 125 | 2014 | Coal | EPA regs may force Duke to shut Indiana coal plant, Reuters (Sep. 20, 2011) |
| Wabash River | 6 | Terre Haute | Vigo | IN | 387 | 2014 | Coal | EPA regs may force Duke to shut Indiana coal plant, Reuters (Sep. 20, 2011) |
| Lawrence Energy Center | 3 | Lawrence | Douglas | KS | 48 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Riverton | 39 | Riverton | Cherokee | KS | 38 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Riverton | 40 | Riverton | Cherokee | KS | 54 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Tecumseh Energy Center | 9 | Tecumseh | Shawnee | KS | 74 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Big Sandy | 2 | Louisa | Louisa | KY | 438 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011). |
| Cane Run | 1 | Louisville | Louisville | KY | 16 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| Cane Run | 2 | Louisville | Louisville | KY | 163 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| Cane Run | 3 | Louisville | Louisville | KY | 209 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| Cane Run | 4 | Louisville | Louisville | KY | 272 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| D B Wilson | W1 | Centertown | Ohio | KY | 420 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Dale | 1 | Winchester | Clark | KY | 27 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Dale | 2 | Winchester | Clark | KY | 27 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Dale | 3 | Winchester | Clark | KY | 75 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Dale | 4 | Winchester | Clark | KY | 75 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Green River | 1 | Central City | Central City | KY | 75 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| Green River | 2 | Central City | Central City | KY | 114 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011) |
| Robert A Reid | 1 | Robards | Webster | KY | 65 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Tyrone | Versailles | Versailles | KY | 135 | 2016 | Coal | The 2011 Joint Integrated Resource Plan of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Compny (Apr. 21, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) | |
| Nelson Industrial Steam and Operating Company | 1A | Westlake | Calcasieu | LA | 107 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Nelson Industrial Steam and Operating Company | 2A | Westlake | Calcasieu | LA | 106 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Brayton Point | 3 | Somerset | Bristol | MA | 612 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Brayton Point | 4 | Somerset | Bristol | MA | 435 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Salem Harbor | 1 | Salem | Salem | MA | 82 | June, 2014 | Coal | Dominion Sets Schedule to Close Salem Harbor Power Station, Press Release, May 11, 2011; IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule). |
| Salem Harbor | 2 | Salem | Salem | MA | 82 | June, 2014 | Coal | Dominion Sets Schedule to Close Salem Harbor Power Station, Press Release, May 11, 2011; IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule). |
| Salem Harbor | 3 | Salem | Salem | MA | 166 | June, 2014 | Coal | Dominion Sets Schedule to Close Salem Harbor Power Station, Press Release, May 11, 2011; IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule). |
| Salem Harbor | 4 | Salem | Salem | MA | 476 | June, 2014 | Coal | Dominion Sets Schedule to Close Salem Harbor Power Station, Press Release, May 11, 2011. |
| Eckert Station | 1 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 40 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Eckert Station | 2 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 42 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Eckert Station | 3 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 41 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Eckert Station | 4 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 69 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Eckert Station | 5 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 69 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Eckert Station | 6 | Lansing | Ingham | MI | 67 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Endicott Station | 1 | Litchfield | Hillsdale | MI | 55 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| James De Young | 5 | Holland | Ottawa | MI | 27 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Blue Valley | 3 | Independence | Jackson | MO | 51 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Chamois | 2 | Chamois | Osage | MO | 49 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| James River Power Station | 3 | Springfield | Greene | MO | 41 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| James River Power Station | 4 | Springfield | Greene | MO | 56 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Lake Road | 6 | St Joseph | Buchanan | MO | 97 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Meramec | 1 | St. Louis | St. Louis | MO | 138 | 2015 | Coal | The Ameren 2011 Integrated Resource Plan |
| Meramec | 2 | St. Louis | St. Louis | MO | 138 | 2015 | Coal | The Ameren 2011 Integrated Resource Plan |
| Meramec | 3 | St. Louis | St. Louis | MO | 289 | 2015 | Coal | The Ameren 2011 Integrated Resource Plan |
| Meramec | 4 | St. Louis | St. Louis | MO | 359 | 2015 | Coal | The Ameren 2011 Integrated Resource Plan |
| Sibley | 1 | Sibley | Jackson | MO | 54 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Sibley | 2 | Sibley | Jackson | MO | 54 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Colstrip Energy LP | BLR1 | Colstrip | Rosebud | MT | 35 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Yellowstone Energy LP | BLR1 | Billings | Yellowstone | MT | 28 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Yellowstone Energy LP | BLR2 | Billings | Yellowstone | MT | 28 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Buck | 5 | Salisbury | Rowan | NC | 38 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Buck | 6 | Salisbury | Rowan | NC | 38 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Buck | 7 | Salisbury | Rowan | NC | 38 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Cape Fear | 5 | 'Moncure | Moncure | NC | 148 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Progress Energy Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan (Sep. 13, 2010). |
| Cape Fear | 6 | 'Moncure | Moncure | NC | 15 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Progress Energy Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan (Sep. 13, 2010); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule). |
| Riverbend | 7 | Mount Holly | Gaston | NC | 94 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Riverbend | 8 | Mount Holly | Gaston | NC | 94 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Weatherspoon | 1 | Lumberton | Robeson | NC | 49 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Progress Energy Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan (Sep. 13, 2010) |
| Weatherspoon | 2 | Lumberton | Robeson | NC | 49 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Progress Energy Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan (Sep. 13, 2010) |
| Weatherspoon | 3 | Lumberton | Robeson | NC | 79 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Progress Energy Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan (Sep. 13, 2010) |
| Schiller | 4 | Portsmouth | Rockingham | NH | 48 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Deepwater | 8 | Pennsville | Salem | NJ | 80 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Glenwood | 40 | Glenwood Landing | Nassau | NY | 117 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Glenwood | 50 | Glenwood Landing | Nassau | NY | 122 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Port Jefferson | 3 | Port Jefferson | Suffolk | NY | 185 | 2015 | Natural Gas, Residual Fuel Oil | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WPS Power Niagara | 1 | Niagara Falls | Niagara | NY | 53 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Avon Lake | 10 | Avon Lake | Lorain | OH | 93 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Conesville | 3 | Conesville | Conesville | OH | 165 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Hamilton | 8 | Hamilton | Butler | OH | 33 | 2014 | Natural Gas, Residual Fuel Oil | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Miami Fort | 6 | North Bend | Miami Township | OH | 163 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Kentucky 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 1, 2011). |
| Muskingum River | 1 | Beverly | Beverly | OH | 220 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Muskingum River | 2 | Beverly | Beverly | OH | 220 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Muskingum River | 3 | Beverly | Beverly | OH | 238 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Muskingum River | 4 | Beverly | Beverly | OH | 238 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Niles | 2 | Niles | Trumbull | OH | 111 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Picway | Lockbourne | Lockbourne | OH | 100 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) | |
| R E Burger | 5 | Shadyside | Belmont | OH | 47 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| R E Burger | 6 | Shadyside | Belmont | OH | 47 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 1 | New Richmond | Clermont | OH | 115 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 2 | New Richmond | New Richmond | OH | 113 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 3 | New Richmond | Clermont | OH | 125 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 4 | New Richmond | New Richmond | OH | 163 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 5 | New Richmond | Clermont | OH | 245 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| WC Beckjord | 6 | New Richmond | New Richmond | OH | 461 | 1/1/2015 | Coal | The Duke Energy Ohio 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (July 15, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Anadarko Plant | 3 | Anadarko | Caddo | OK | 44 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Mustang | 1 | Oklahoma City | Canadian | OK | 53 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Mustang | 2 | Oklahoma City | Canadian | OK | 53 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Mustang | 3 | Oklahoma City | Canadian | OK | 118 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Mustang | 4 | Oklahoma City | Canadian | OK | 250 | 2015 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Boardman | Boardman | Boardman | OR | 601 | Not Available | Coal | Portland Gas and Electric Comments on EPA NESHAP Action (Aug. 2, 2011) | |
| G F Weaton Power Station | 1 | Monaca | Beaver | PA | 56 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| G F Weaton Power Station | 2 | Monaca | Beaver | PA | 56 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| New Castle | 3 | West Pittsburg | Lawrence | PA | 95 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| New Castle | 5 | West Pittsburg | Lawrence | PA | 138 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Shawville | 1 | Shawville | Clearfield | PA | 122 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Sunbury Generation LP | 3 | Shamokin Dam | Snyder | PA | 94 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Sunbury Generation LP | 4 | Shamokin Dam | Snyder | PA | 128 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Sunbury Generation LP | 2A | Shamokin Dam | Snyder | PA | 40 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Sunbury Generation LP | 2B | Shamokin Dam | Snyder | PA | 40 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Canadys Steam | 1 | Walterboro | Colleton | SC | 105 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| John Sevier | 4 | Rogersville | Hawkins | TN | 176 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 1 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 2 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 3 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 4 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 5 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 6 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 106 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 7 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 141 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 8 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 141 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 9 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 141 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Johnsonville | 10 | New Johnsonville | Humphreys | TN | 141 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| AES Deepwater | AAB0 01 | Pasadena | Harris | TX | 139 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| ERCT_TX_Coal steam | 1 | n/a | n/a | TX | 300 | 2015 | Petroleum Coke | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Lone Star | 1 | Lone Star | Morris | TX | 50 | 2014 | Natural Gas, Distillate Fuel Oil | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Monticello | 1 | Mount Pleasant | Titus | TX | 593 | 2012 | Coal | Luminant Announces Facility Closures, Job Reductions in Response to EPA Rule, Luminant (Sep. 12, 2011) |
| Monticello | 2 | Mount Pleasant | Titus | TX | 593 | 2012 | Coal | Luminant Announces Facility Closures, Job Reductions in Response to EPA Rule, Luminant (Sep. 12, 2011) |
| Moore County | 3 | Sunray | Moore | TX | 48 | 2012 | Natural Gas | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| San Miguel | SM-1 | Christine | Atascosa | TX | 391 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Welsh | 2 | Pittsburg | Pittsburg | TX | 528 | 2015 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Carbon | 1 | Price | Carbon | UT | 67 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| KUCC | 1 | Magna | Salt Lake | UT | 30 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| KUCC | 2 | Magna | Salt Lake | UT | 30 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| KUCC | 3 | Magna | Salt Lake | UT | 30 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Sunnyside Cogen Associates | 1 | Sunnyside | Carbon | UT | 51 | 2016 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Chesapeake | 1 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 19 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 2 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 16 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 3 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 185 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 4 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 16 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 6 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 16 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 7 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 24 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 8 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 24 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 9 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 24 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | 10 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 24 | 2016 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Chesapeake | ST1 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 113 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | ST2 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 113 | 2016 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Chesapeake | ST4 | Chesapeake | Chesapeake (city) | VA | 239 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Clinch River | 3 | Cleveland | Cleveland | VA | 235 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Glen Lyn | 1 | Glen Lyn | Giles | VA | 100 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Glen Lyn | 2 | Glen Lyn | Giles | VA | 238 | 2015 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Glen Lyn | 51 | Glen Lyn | Giles | VA | 45 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Glen Lyn | 52 | Glen Lyn | Giles | VA | 45 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Potomac River | 1 | Alexandria | Alexandria (city) | VA | 88 | 2015 | Coal | Alexandria coal plant may shut by 2012, Washington Post (Aug. 30, 2011); IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Transport Rule) |
| Potomac River | 2 | Alexandria | Alexandria (city) | VA | 88 | 2015 | Coal | Alexandria coal plant may shut by 2012, Washington Post (Aug. 30, 2011) |
| Potomac River | 3 | Alexandria | Alexandria | VA | 110 | 2015 | Coal | Alexandria coal plant may shut by 2012, Washington Post (Aug. 30, 2011) |
| Potomac River | 4 | Alexandria | Alexandria | VA | 110 | 2015 | Coal | Alexandria coal plant may shut by 2012, Washington Post (Aug. 30, 2011) |
| Potomac River | 5 | Alexandria | Alexandria | VA | 110 | 2015 | Coal | Alexandria coal plant may shut by 2012, Washington Post (Aug. 30, 2011) |
| Yorktown | 1 | Yorktown | York | VA | 188 | 2015 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Yorktown | 2 | Yorktown | York | VA | 188 | 2015 | Coal | Dominion plans to shutter Yorktown and Chesapeake power plants between 2015 and 2022, Daily Press (Sep. 1, 2011). |
| Blount Street | 8 | Madison | Dane | WI | 49 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Blount Street | 9 | Madison | Dane | WI | 48 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| South Oak Creek | 5 | Oak Creek | Milwaukee | WI | 261 | 2015 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| South Oak Creek | 6 | Oak Creek | Milwaukee | WI | 264 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule) |
| Valley | 1 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | WI | 70 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Valley | 2 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | WI | 70 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Valley | 3 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | WI | 70 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Valley | 4 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | WI | 70 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Kammer | 1 | Captina | Moundsville | WV | 238 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Kammer | 3 | Captina | Moundsville | WV | 238 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Kammer | 2 | Oroville | Moundsville | WV | 238 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Kanawha | 1 | Glasgow | Glasgow | WV | 220 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Kanawha | 2 | Glasgow | Glasgow | WV | 220 | 12/31/2014 | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Phillip Sporn | 1 | Graham Station | New Haven | WV | 153 | 2011 (450 MW), Dec. 31, 2014 (600 MW) | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Phillip Sporn | 2 | Graham Station | New Haven | WV | 153 | 2011 (450 MW), Dec. 31, 2014 (600 MW) | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Phillip Sporn | 3 | Graham Station | New Haven | WV | 153 | 2011 (450 MW), Dec. 31, 2014 (600 MW) | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Phillip Sporn | 4 | Graham Station | New Haven | WV | 153 | 2011 (450 MW), Dec. 31, 2014 (600 MW) | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Phillip Sporn | 5 | Graham Station | New Haven | WV | 496 | 2011 (450 MW), Dec. 31, 2014 (600 MW) | Coal | AEP Shares Plan For Compliance With Proposed EPA Regulations, Press Release (June 9, 2011) |
| Rivesville | 7 | Rivesville | Marion | WV | 46 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Rivesville | 8 | Rivesville | Marion | WV | 91 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
| Willow Island | 1 | Willow Island | Pleasants | WV | 54 | 2014 | Coal | IPM Parsed Results - Policy Case (Toxics Rule/Transport Rule) |
Power Plant Retirement ListBackground Information
Methodology
List Sources This list is derived from three sources: (1) EPA's parsed modeling files, which identify the power-plant units that EPA models say will close as a result of either the Clean Air Transport Rule (Transport Rule) or Utility MACT (Toxics Rule); (2) news releases or press stories where a power-plant operator says a unit will or is likely to close due to EPA regulations; and (3) filings with state public utility commissions where a power-plant operator says a unit will or is likely to close due to EPA regulations. All sources are publically available information. EPA Parsed Files Process to Identify Units Closed by EPA Regulation Individual power-plants often have multiple boilers, called "units," that generate electricity. EPA, in addition to overall modeling, models the impact that the Agency believes its regulations will have on each unit, at each power-plant in America. EPA lists these results in "parsed files." When producing parsed files for a regulation, EPA will first create a business-as-usual "base" case parsed file where the Agency details what it believes will happen absent EPA's new regulation. Next, EPA creates a "policy" or "remedy" case parsed file showing how EPA believes plants will respond to a regulation. Thus, one can find the difference between these two cases, and figure out the impact EPA believes a regulation will have, by comparing the policy/remedy case parsed file to the base case parsed file. As such, the following steps were taken so that the list would only include those units EPA said would retire as a result of the Transport Rule and Toxics Rule: For the Transport Rule, data from the parsed files for the Transport Rule's base case and remedy case were put on a single spreadsheet. The combined results were organized by plant name. Each plant listed in both the base case and remedy case was removed. Thus, the resulting list only shows those plants that EPA believes will close because of the Transport Rule. For the Toxics Rule, data from the parsed files for the Toxics Rule's base case and policy case were put on a single spreadsheet. The combined results were organized by plant name. Each plant listed in both the base case and policy case was removed. Thus, the resulting list only shows those plants that EPA believes will close because of the Toxics Rule. The resulting base case-free Transport Rule list and Toxics Rule list were then put on a single spreadsheet. The combined results were organized by plant name. In each instance where the Transport Rule and the Toxics Rule independently said the same plant would retire, one of the entries was deleted so as to not double-count it. The citation was modified to attribute the unit closure to both the Transport Rule and Toxics Rule. Transport Rule Parsed File The parsed file for the Transport Rule is based on EPA's proposed Clean Air Transport Rule and not the final Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). EPA has not yet made the CSAPR parsed files available to the public. However, given that the final CSAPR is more stringent than the rule's proposed version, it is likely that CSAPR's parsed file will show more unit closures than the parsed file used on this list. Power-plant Owner Public Announcements Ensuring that Retirements are Result of EPA Regulation All retirements announced by plant owners in news releases or through public filings on this list were due to EPA regulation. In each such case, the source cited directly identifies EPA regulations as the sole or main reason for the power plant's retirement. Avoiding Double-Counting If a unit was identified to close by both EPA parsed files and public announcements, then the duplicate entry was released. The units citation was modified to indicate that both EPA and public announcements slated the unit for retirement.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this list's total retired capacity higher than EPA's total? The total retired capacity for this list is higher than EPA's total because this list includes EPA's projected unit retirements and unit retirements announced by power-plant operators. No unit cited by both sources was double counted. Does this list include plants that will close even without the Transport Rule or Toxics Rule? No. The parsed file results used in this list do not include business-as-usual base case results. In other words, if EPA modeled a unit to close even if the Transport Rule or Toxics Rule were not implemented, then that unit was not included. EPA says only 9.9 GW will close, so why are these numbers higher? The 9.9 GW retired coal-plant capacity figure is from the EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for the Toxics Rule alone. The Transport Rule RIA projects an additional 4.8 GW of coal-plant capacity to retire due to the Transport Rule. When combined, the RIA's project 13.8 GW of coal-plant capacity to retire due to the Toxics Rule and Transport Rule. As noted above, additional plant retirements are due to actually announced retirements. Why do EPA's RIAs say the Transport and Toxics Rule will retire 13.8 GW of coal-capacity, while EPA's parsed files say the two rules will retire 14.5 GW? EPA's overall modeling runs and parsed model use slightly different methods. Thus, the totals for the final results are slightly different, though very similar. The difference between the two totals is only .8 GW. When a power-plant operator announces that it is closing a certain unit, how do you know that is because of EPA regulations? In each case where a retirement is attributed to public announcements, the cited source material lists EPA regulations as the sole or main reason for the plant's retirement. Some groups have said EPA regulations will retire 60--80 GW of coal-fired generation, but this list only shows 28 GW. Does this mean those projections are wrong? No. If anything this list gives more credibility to those higher retirement projections. This list is very conservative; it merely shows what units EPA says its regulations will close, plus specific units that plant-operators have said will close because of EPA regulations. Those analyses that show higher power-plant retirements than this list lay out what the final overall impact of EPA's regulation will be. On the other hand, this list focuses just on the currently disclosed impact. Plant-operators generally announce retirements only when required to by public filings. Thus, this list will likely grow far higher. However, because this list already finds twice as many retirements as EPA projected, the Agency's claim that its regulations will have minimal impact on electric generation are clearly incorrect. EPA has said that other projections showing a high coal generation retirements were based on incorrect assumptions. Is that the case for this list? No. The only modeling in this list is from EPA. Thus, any mistaken assumption would be EPA's mistaken assumption. Otherwise, the remaining data is from actual public announcements detailing the imminent or highly possible closure of specific units at specific power-plants. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) projected that most power-plants will retire because of EPA 316(b) cooling tower regulations. Does this list account for the fact that EPA has since indicated it will pursue less stringent 316(b) regulations? This list only includes the parsed files for EPA's Transport Rule and Toxics Rule modeling. EPA's modeling for the 316(b) is not included. Public unit retirement announcements largely cited the Transport Rule and Toxics Rule as causing a unit to retire; there is little discussion of 316(b) regulations. This is likely due to the fact that EPA ultimately chose to pursue less stringent cooling tower rules than the Agency originally insinuated. Regardless, all of the publically announced plant retirements listed are retiring due to EPA regulations. This list compares its total numbers to NERC's worst case analysis. Does that include NERC's analysis of 316(b) regulations? No. The NERC analysis was broken down between the Transport Rule, the Toxics Rule and 316(b) regulations. The chart compares the list only to the NERC Transport Rule and Toxic Rule "strict," or worst case, scenarios.Read next: China’s Coal Power Construction Is at a Decade-High Despite Renewables Boom
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Institute for Energy Research——Bio and Archives
The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.
