Pablo Willis, pablo.willis@sierraclub.org
RICHMOND, VA - The Birchwood and Chesterfield coal-fired plants are the latest coal plants to announce retirement among the hundreds to retire in the last decade. These coal plants are simply no longer viable in today’s energy market, and represent an outdated form of energy generation that fuels the climate crisis.
Virginia communities will breathe cleaner air and have cleaner power when the Birchwood Power Plant and Chesterfield Power Station’s last coal units close. The coal industry has a challenging future as U.S. coal exports are declining, less U.S. electric generation comes from coal, and clean, renewable energy options are less costly on the market and to our health.
Addressing the climate crisis must also involve ensuring that impacted communities and workers are not left behind on our way to Virginia’s clean energy future. As Virginia continues to move beyond coal, the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter will continue to fight for a just transition to 100% renewable energy. This includes advocating for the strongest version of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which will prioritize impacted communities and workers, ensuring that the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy does not leave any community behind.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.