Virginia clean energy advocates question reliability of new federal energy report promoting coal

A recent U.S. Department of Energy report ordered by President Trump promotes coal-fired power as essential to grid reliability, but Virginia clean energy advocates say it overlooks climate risks and mounting financial losses.

Charles Paullin reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

The Department of Energy’s report, prompted by President Trump’s executive order, supports continued use of aging fossil fuel plants, including Dominion’s Mount Storm coal plant, which lost $212 million in 2023.
Clean energy advocates argue the report relies on outdated assumptions, ignores input from regional regulators and environmental data, and inflates projected electricity demand tied to speculative data center development.
Critics say the report downplays advances in battery storage, wind, and solar, while omitting fossil fuel system failures during past grid events such as Winter Storm Elliott.

Key quote:

“They have botched their analysis. They’re really off the mark on it.”

— Frank Rambo, executive director of Horizon Climate Initiative

Why this matters:

How the U.S. powers its electric grid has far-reaching consequences for both climate stability and public health. Coal-fired plants like Mount Storm are among the country’s largest sources of carbon emissions, driving climate change and worsening air quality. These plants also emit pollutants that contribute to respiratory illness, heart disease, and premature death — especially in nearby communities. Meanwhile, fossil fuel infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather, as seen during Winter Storm Elliott, when natural gas systems froze and failed. Virginia’s electricity grid is under added pressure from a booming data center industry, which risks locking in high emissions unless the region transitions to clean, efficient power. As federal policy shifts, these choices will have enduring impacts on energy prices, insurance rates, and the pace of climate disruption.

insideclimatenews.org

Virginia clean energy advocates question reliability of new federal energy report promoting coal

Hope is contagious and science is king: 10 big lessons on ending the fossil fuel era

The SEC tried to silence activist investors. Now they're fighting back

With promises of money, controversial gas pipeline on Navajo Nation passes first hurdle

Congress once shielded gun makers. Now it’s fossil fuel companies’ turn

Western lawmakers move to weaken Clean Air Act and shield fossil fuel companies from climate lawsuits

States are demanding property insurance records to study climate change

In permissive Amsterdam, ads for fossil fuels or meat are now verboden

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.