Coal energy can’t seem to catch a break these days. In the past month, we’ve shared stories about both Sweden and Austria closing the last of their coal-fired power plants. All the while, the US has seen renewables overtake coal as America’s leading power source for a record-breaking 40 days in a row.
In the latest blow to this polluting energy source, the largest coal power station in North Dakota has announced it will close operations after the station was deemed to have “lost value compared to other alternatives in recent years.” Located roughly 50 miles north of Bismarck, the Coal Creek Station facility has a workforce of 260 and uses approximately 22,000 tons of lignite each day.
Looking ahead, Great River Energy, which operates as a not-for-profit cooperative, is aiming to purchase over 1,100 MW from new wind energy projects by late 2023, an investment of more than $1.2 billion. Among other things, it is also planning to modify coal and natural gas-based power plant so that it’s fueled solely by natural gas.
At the rate at which coal power stations are closing these days, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear about more closures very soon.
