NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation’s largest public utility, has put forward a plan that favors the continued operation of two coal-fired power plants instead of shutting them down as previously intended. This change comes ahead of an important board meeting and is influenced by regulatory shifts and the increasing demand for electricity.
In its recent filings, TVA expressed a desire to reconsider the closure dates for the Kingston Fossil Plant and the Cumberland Fossil Plant located in Tennessee. Although the utility is still planning to introduce natural gas-fired plants at these sites, the decision to keep aging coal facilities running has raised eyebrows among clean energy advocates.
TVA had previously aimed to close its remaining coal plants by 2035 to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, but the rising electricity demands and new regulatory frameworks have prompted a reassessment of these closure plans. TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks commented, As power demand grows, TVA is looking at every option to bolster our generating fleet to continue providing affordable, reliable electricity to our 10 million customers, create jobs, and help communities thrive.
This decision, however, has sparked criticism from environmentalists who argue it contradicts TVA's stated commitment to reducing pollution. Gabi Lichtenstein, Tennessee Program Coordinator for Appalachian Voices, expressed concern that the extension of coal plant operations would harm local populations, stating that residents would continue to face pollution without public dialogue or alternative solutions being considered.
The backdrop of this decision includes President Donald Trump’s administrations, which have been characterized as friendly to the coal industry. Trump previously influenced the TVA board's composition and initiated executive orders that favored coal operations. In December, the Senate confirmed several nominees to the TVA board, restoring a quorum that had previously been nullified by Trump’s strategic removals of board members who opposed his agenda.
Despite TVA's ambitions for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, the shift toward natural gas plants while retaining coal facilities raises questions about the effectiveness of their climate policies. Advocacy groups have continued to push for faster transitions to renewable energy sources.
Looking ahead, TVA anticipates increased demand from data centers, with power requirements expected to double within the next few years. The utility plans to maintain a mix of coal and natural gas generation but has also faced scrutiny for its reluctance to pivot fully toward cleaner energy solutions, such as solar and other renewables.
