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NEW ROADS, LA – On Monday, March 22nd, Louisiana Generating, a subsidiary of NRG, officially canceled plans to build a fourth generating unit at their Big Cajun II coal-fired power facility in Pointe Coupee Parish.  In its place, Louisiana Generating is looking to diversify its fuel source by investing in cleaner, alternative forms of energy.  Less than a year after the cancelation of the Little Gypsy proposal in St. Charles Parish, the move away from coal towards alternative forms of energy is a welcomed change.

The Sierra Club, along with its allies in the Say Yes to Clean Energy coalition, believes this is another sign that the national rush to build dirty, dangerous coal plants is coming to an end.  For the past six years the Sierra Club and its allies have been running a hard-hitting campaign to expose the dirty truth about coal. Tremendous grassroots pressure, rising costs and upcoming federal carbon regulations all contributed to the demise of over 128 coal plants.

“The shift has clearly started toward a cleaner, healthier, more secure future,” notes Jordan Macha, Conservation Organizer for Sierra Club. “The decision not to pursue the Big Cajun II expansion has opened the path for our state to be a vital part of a new economy powered by clean energy.”

This August, Louisiana Generating will be seeking a renewal of their Title V permit for the existing Big Cajun II facility.  In their plans, Louisiana Generating intends to look at the possibility of including biomass in their fuel portfolio – a nod to the pending Renewable Portfolio Standard at the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

“The present economic and environmental crisis in Louisiana emphasizes the need to look towards renewable energies and efficiency,” says Macha. “Progressive industries around the state are looking to invest in cleaner alternatives, helping to protect the citizens of Louisiana from serious health and environmental problems.”

While new coal continues to be a proposed resource in Louisiana, the Sierra Club is working to phase out existing dirty and unreliable coal plants, which are large contributors to health harming soot, smog and mercury pollution and transition to cleaner energy options that create more jobs.

“The coal industry is still pushing forward with plans for dozens of new plants and pouring money into slick advertising campaigns and lobbying efforts,” said Macha. “So while the coal rush may be entering a new phase in some parts of the country, it is far from over.”