Rocky Mountain Power has announced it will cancel the planned retirements of several of its Wyoming coal-fired power plants, extending their operational lifespans, Cowboy State Daily reports.
However, the decision does not imply these plants will continue burning coal indefinitely.
In its newly released Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the company adjusted its timeline, opting to delay retirements for the plants based on shifts in market dynamics, state and federal policy changes, and evolving customer needs for energy sources.
The decision affects multiple facilities in Wyoming, including Dave Johnston units 1, 2, and 4 in Glenrock, Jim Bridger Power Plant in Rock Springs, Naughton Power Plant in Kemmerer, and Wyodak Power Plant in Gillette. While these plants are no longer scheduled for immediate retirement, many will undergo transitions to alternative energy sources. For instance, several of these plants are planned to convert to natural gas or incorporate carbon capture technologies, though exact timelines for full retirements are still fluid.
The IRP indicates that Dave Johnston units 1 and 2, previously scheduled for retirement by 2028, will now convert to natural gas in 2029 and remain operational. Dave Johnston Unit 4, which was slated for closure in 2039, now has no fixed retirement date. Similar adjustments have been made at Jim Bridger and Wyodak plants, with no set retirement dates for these units at this time.
The decision to extend the operational life of these plants has garnered praise from local officials who emphasize the importance of these facilities to Wyoming’s economy. State Sen. Brian Boner (R-Douglas) highlighted the economic significance of plants like Dave Johnston, which employs hundreds of local workers. He attributed the positive outcome to recent state legislation aimed at preserving coal-fired energy generation.
“There’s a lot of federal involvement, but certainly the state of Wyoming has done its share to protect our coal-fired plants and make sure they retain that generation capacity,” Boner said.
Some advocates, like State Rep. Clark Stith (R-Rock Springs), also suggest that a shift in federal leadership could have played a role in the change, noting that the current administration may be more favorable to extending the life of coal plants compared to its predecessor.
Rocky Mountain Power’s updated plan comes as the company continues to navigate pressure from both state lawmakers and environmental regulations. In 2020, Wyoming passed a law requiring coal-fired plants to adopt carbon capture technology by 2030 to remain operational, with a deadline extension to 2033.
These regulatory requirements, along with market conditions and customer demands, have influenced the decisions regarding plant operations. While the delay in closures may be seen as a victory for coal-dependent regions, the future of coal as a primary energy source remains uncertain, especially given the increasing demand for renewable energy options.
The question of how these changes will affect consumer utility rates remains uncertain. While Rocky Mountain Power has not provided definitive projections, the company has emphasized its focus on balancing customer rates with its operational costs. In 2023, the company faced backlash over a nearly 30% rate hike, with many attributing the increase to environmental regulations in neighboring states.
Kaysen, a lobbyist for Rocky Mountain Power, acknowledged that the impact on rates could fluctuate as the company adapts to various energy demands and technologies, including carbon capture.
