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American Electric Power Agrees to Retire Three Coal-Fired Power Plants in Major Clean Air and Climate Victory
Case Updates:
February 25, 2013
On February 25, a coalition of citizen groups, states and U.S. EPA announced a landmark settlement agreement with American Electric Power (AEP) requiring AEP to stop burning coal by 2015 at three power plants in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. AEP also agreed to replace a portion of these coal plants with new wind and solar investments in Indiana and Michigan, bringing more clean energy on line to meet the region’s electricity needs.
AEP will stop burning coal at the Tanners Creek Generating Station Unit 4 in Indiana, the Muskingum River Power Plant Unit 5 in Ohio, and the Big Sandy Power Plant Unit 2 in Kentucky. Collectively, a total of 2,011 megawatts (MW) of coal-fired power will retire as part of the settlement, removing almost 12 million tons of climate-disrupting carbon pollution and nearly 84,000 tons of sulfur dioxide pollution that the three coal-fired power plants spew into the air each year. Since January 2010, more than 50,000 megawatts of coal-fired power have been retired or committed for retirement nationwide.
The other citizens groups involved in the AEP settlement are the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Citizens Action Coalition, Hoosier Environmental Council, West Virginia Environmental Council, Clean Air Council, Environment America, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Ohio Sportsmen, Izaak Walton League, and the Indiana Wildlife Federation. The above-mentioned groups are all represented by the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Natural Resources Defense Council represented itself. Sierra Club was represented by Earthjustice.
The agreement will protect public health, reduce the threat of climate disruption, and create a cleaner environment for families in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
Details and Documents:
American Electric Power Agrees to Retire Three Coal-Fired Power Plants in Major Clean Air and Climate Victory
February 25, 2013, Sierra Club et al. Press Release
News Articles:
AEP agrees to close 3 coal plants in emissions lawsuit
February 25, 2013 by Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson, Washington Post
AEP to Shutter Three Coal Units in Legal Settlement with EPA
February 25, 2013 by Mark Drajem, Bloomberg News
More Info:
See other "Retiring Old Coal" cases.