A Michigan power plant that has consumed coal in a roaring furnace to generate electricity since the early 1960s was supposed to retire last year. Instead, it’s been kept running for months, on the orders of the Trump administration.
And it’s not the only one. The Trump administration has so far prevented five aging coal-fired power plants from shutting down at their planned retirement dates. The administration says this is a cost-saving solution for Americans at a time when rising energy bills are causing concern around the country. But experts say it’s likely to increase energy prices, instead. In fact, new analysis shows the move could cost United States ratepayers billions over the next two years.
It’s a relatively new use for an Energy Department emergency power normally deployed to bypass pollution limits and keep power plants running more frequently during a hurricane, or the recent winter cold snaps. However, last year, Energy Sec. Chris Wright used this emergency power to order those coal plants and one oil plant to stay open well past their shut-dow
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