The Department of Energy on Tuesday ordered a Washington state coal plant to delay retirement and continue operating through the winter, in an expansion of President Donald Trump’s efforts to rescue the coal industry.
The move to keep Centralia Generating Station open marks the second time this year that DOE has used its emergency powers under the Federal Power Act to prevent a coal plant from closing. It also puts the Trump administration on a collision course with Washington state, which has made closure of the 52-year-old coal facility a staple of its climate plans.
In a statement, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the move was necessary to ensure reliable and affordable energy supplies throughout the winter.
“The Trump administration will continue taking action to keep America’s coal plants running so we can stop the price spikes and ensure we don’t lose critical generation sources,” Wright said. “Americans deserve access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to heat their homes all the time, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.”
