Progress Energy retiring coal plants

April 10, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Progress Energy has decided to retire units 1 and 2 of the Crystal River coal-fired power plant and replace them with more cost-effective sources, according to a recent filing with the Florida Public Service Commission. The coal-fired units are part of the Crystal River Energy Complex, consisting of four coal-fired units and one nuclear plant.

An analysis revealed that retiring and replacing the plant would save customers $1.32 billion in retrofits. This is not an uncommon conclusion, as utilities nationwide find that retiring aging coal-fired plants and replacing them with renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures saves consumers money and meets environmental standards.

The Sierra Club, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and Earthjustice are urging Progress Energy to retire the plants sooner rather than later, as well as increase their energy-efficiency programs, claiming that Progress Energy's efforts "pale in comparison to leading peer utilities in other states."

"Retiring older coal facilities instead of investing in expensive retrofits is in the best interest of ratepayers and decreases the coal pollution burden on our air, climate and water," Ulla Reeves, High Risk Energy Program Director with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said in a statement. "We urge PEF to move swiftly and with continued commitment to secure these units offline as soon as possible and we look forward to working with PEF to meet any future demand with increased energy efficiency."

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