Public interest groups are suing to block the Energy Department from keeping a coal-fired power plant in Florida operating.
DOE’s order to continue the life of the Stanton Energy Center in Orlando is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to keep coal-fired units online past their planned retirement dates.
What happened: The lawsuit filed Friday in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by groups including the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and Florida Rising follows DOE’s July decision to reject the groups’ challenge of a June emergency order from DOE.
The groups argue DOE violated federal environmental law and acted outside the scope of its authority by issuing the order. According to the groups, keeping the plant alive could also cause higher utility costs for ratepayers and harmful public health effects.
The June order directed the Orlando Utilities Commission to keep a unit at a coal-fired power plant that was scheduled to enter a “premature extended cold shutdown” available to operate. The emergency order extends through Sept. 1 and may be renewed.
“Central Florida families and businesses shouldn’t be forced to pay for an uneconomic coal plant they don’t need and can’t afford,” said Ted Kelly, lead counsel with the Environmental Defense Fund.
Why it matters: DOE has said keeping the power plant running will address grid reliability, adding in a June press release that projections for Florida’s transmission growth lagged behind “what is needed to support new data centers.”
“Taking reliable generation off the grid compromises energy reliability and needlessly raises energy costs for Americans,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the statement. “During peak summer demand, Floridians deserve continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.”
DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
The environmental groups have argued that Orlando Utilities Commission reports show coal has been its highest cost fuel per megawatt hour in recent years and that keeping the Florida unit operating could cost about $18 million.