Duke Energy under fire for coal phase-out plan

October 2, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Duke Energy has issued a request for proposals seeking options to generate electricity to replace the nuclear generators at the Crystal River plant -- and is under fire for it. Duke Energy operates two other coal-fired generators at the plant and has told state regulators it plans to phase out these units sometime before 2020 because they are too expensive to operate and require substantial upgrades.

"Duke Energy has taken a strong step in planning to phase out coal burning units at its Crystal River Power Plant before 2020, but the company's new request for proposals to replace the power is a step in the wrong direction," Julia Hathaway, Florida's Sierra Club Beyond Coal representative said in a statement.

The Sierra Club contends that Duke Energy relies too heavily on natural gas power for Florida, and as with coal, burning natural gas for power sends Florida's energy dollars out of state and is calling on Duke Energy to replace the Crystal River coal units with a clean source like solar as soon as possible.

"Florida also has significant potential to save money and meet energy demand through large-scale energy savings programs. In other states, Duke Energy is investing more in energy savings too," Hathaway said in a statement. "There's a pattern here: Duke Energy is bringing more clean energy solutions online in other states and leaving Florida behind. It's time to move beyond business as usual and invest in Florida in a positive way that supports our families and economy."

For more:
- see the request for proposal

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/duke-energy-under-fire-coal-phase-out-plan/2013-10-02