economy
March 19, 2026
Coal plant forced to stay open due to emergency order isn't even running
Department of Energy’s attempts to prop up coal can look pretty pointless.
TL;DR
- The economics of coal power generation in the US are unfavorable, leading to plant closures.
- The Trump administration has used federal orders to keep some coal plants operational.
- A plant in Centralia, Washington, has been kept open by an emergency order, but its electricity generation has been minimal.
- The Environmental Defense Fund's analysis indicates the plant is likely only maintaining capacity.
- Local ratepayers are funding the continued operation of a plant that appears to be unnecessary.
- Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill, 'The Energy Bills Relief Act,' to counter the administration's policies on renewable energy and uneconomic power generation.
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