New England’s last coal plants set to shutter, ushering in era of green energy

The End of Coal-Fired Power Plants in New England: A Step Towards Sustainable Development Goals

The final coal-fired power plants in New England are slated to shutter in the coming years, making it the second region to phase out the energy source that powered the U.S. economy for decades.

Transitioning to Green Energy

In an announcement late last month, New Hampshire-based power provider Granite Shore Power said it had reached an agreement with federal officials to shutter its Schiller Station in 2025 and its Merrimack Station by mid-2028. The action underscores the region’s and, more broadly, the nation’s steady march toward a future dominated by green energy. Environmental activists have called for this change for years — energy advocates have warned against it.

“Everybody in our region is finally going to be breathing cleaner air,” Johanna Neumann, the senior director of Environment America’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, told Fox News Digital in an interview. “I think the market has finally caught up to the reality — these coal plants are shutting down and being replaced with renewable energy infrastructure.”

Environmental Activism and Public Health Concerns

Environmental activist organizations have for years sought to ensure the closure of both New Hampshire coal plants, arguing the facilities had contaminated nearby water sources while emitting large amounts of soot into the air, threatening public health.

The Sierra Club, one of those groups that pushed for the shutdown of the plants, applauded the announcement and noted it means New England is the second U.S. region after the Pacific Northwest to be coal-free. New Hampshire Sierra Club Senior Organizer Cathy Corkery said locals had “unjustly shouldered the burden of health and safety concerns” associated with the facilities.

Renewable Energy Parks

Together, the two facilities, which were first constructed roughly six decades ago, have a capacity of 560 megawatts, enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. While the plants, and other coal stations in the region, once played a more central role in powering the grid, they have recently largely been inactive and used only in times of high demand or supply crunches.

“From our earliest days as owners and operators, we have been crystal clear; while our power occasionally is still on during New England’s warmest days and coldest nights, we were firmly committed to transitioning our facilities away from coal and into a newer, cleaner energy future,” said Granite Shore Power CEO Jim Andrews.

As part of the announcement, Andrews added that both coal plants will be redeveloped into the state’s first-of-their-kind “renewable energy parks.” Once they officially close, the sites will be converted by Granite Shore Power into solar and utility-scale energy storage facilities.

The Importance of Baseload Power Generation

However, the announcement that another U.S. region is on a glide path to a coal-free future earned heavy criticism from some experts who noted the importance of having baseload, dispatchable power generation. While renewable sources like wind and solar are intermittent, or heavily dependent on weather conditions, coal, natural gas and nuclear can quickly be turned on in times of high demand.

According to the Energy Information Administration, coal, natural gas and nuclear power plants produce 49%, 54% and 93% of their listed capacity, respectively, while solar panels produce just 25% and wind turbines produce 34% of their listed capacity.

“There’s a concerted effort to shift away from reliable sources of electricity generation to unreliable sources,” said Daren Bakst, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Energy and Environment. “And ultimately the impact is going to be less reliable electricity, higher prices for Americans — it’s going to have a disproportionate impact on the poor.”

Meeting Sustainable Development Goals

The closure of coal-fired power plants in New England aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, New England is taking a significant step towards achieving this goal.

“When it comes to clean energy, the message in America today is clear: companies want to develop it, investors want to finance it, and American consumers and businesses want to buy it,” said Ray Long, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy. “This historic agreement marks a significant step in the direction of America’s clean energy future.”

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite the progress towards renewable energy, critics argue that relying solely on intermittent sources may lead to less reliable electricity and higher prices. They emphasize the importance of maintaining baseload power generation for consistent electricity supply.

“You have to be able to call upon electricity sources when you need it, and you need it to be able to have consistent electricity, to be able to flip on the switch. You can’t have that with intermittent sources. Right now, it’s impossible to have that,” Bakst continued. “Therefore, you need baseload electricity generation so that you can have consistent electricity when you need it.”

Conclusion

The closure of coal-fired power plants in New England represents a significant milestone in the region’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. By embracing renewable energy sources, New England is making progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the debate over the importance of baseload power generation continues, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for all.

Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of energy generated from renewable sources (indicator for SDG 7.2)
• Investment in renewable energy infrastructure (indicator for SDG 9.4)
• Reduction in air pollution and improvement in air quality (indicator for SDG 11.6)
• Integration of climate change measures in energy policies and planning (indicator for SDG 13.2)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis:

The article highlights the closure of coal-fired power plants in New England, signaling a shift towards green energy and addressing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) is addressed as the region transitions from coal to renewable energy sources. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) is relevant as the article mentions the redevelopment of the coal plant sites into renewable energy parks. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) is connected to the reduction in air pollution and improvement in air quality resulting from the closure of coal plants. SDG 13 (Climate Action) is addressed through the integration of climate change measures in energy policies and planning. The specific targets identified include increasing the share of renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure for sustainability, reducing the environmental impact of cities, and integrating climate change measures into policies. The indicators mentioned in the article include the percentage of energy generated from renewable sources, investment in renewable energy infrastructure, reduction in air pollution, and integration of climate change measures in energy policies and planning.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: foxnews.com

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