Trump Administration Emergency Order to Keep Florida Coal Plant Running
Key takeaways
- The facility had been scheduled for retirement in 2025 as part of an Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) plan to transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
- In a statement, OUC said that as a result of the order, the utility “will not be able to place Stanton Energy Center Unit 1 into extended cold shutdown at this time.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited an energy emergency in Florida that he attributed to a shortage of facilities and expected demand associated with a burgeoning data center industry in the state.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
Republish. The coal-fired Stanton Energy Center in Orlando, Fla. Credit: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/Light Rocket via Getty Images Related Trump Funds Two New Coal Plants and Extends Another Dozen, Citing ‘Energy Dominance’ Trump Administration Doubles Down on Coal Power in North Carolina What Is an Energy Emergency? The Trump Administration Says It Alone Decides. Share This Article Republish Most Popular New BLM Grazing Rules Eliminate Tribal Buffalo From Public Lands An Iowa Town Spent $800,000 on a New Well. It Pumps Undrinkable Water. Dolphins, Sharks, Turtles and Workers Are All Victims of Unregulated Squid Fleets Under a Trump administration emergency order, a Florida coal-fired power plant will continue operating.
The facility had been scheduled for retirement in 2025 as part of an Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) plan to transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. OUC is the second-largest municipal utility in the state, serving more than 288,000 customers in Orange and Osceola counties.
In a statement, OUC said that as a result of the order, the utility “will not be able to place Stanton Energy Center Unit 1 into extended cold shutdown at this time. Additionally, OUC will fully comply with the order while continuing to prioritize the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our customers and community.”