Retire Old, Dirty Power Plants

As a nation, we can save money and reduce emissions by retiring these older coal-fired plants, or “electricity clunkers,” and using wind, solar, or natural gas power instead.

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Idea of the Day

Idea of the Day

The average U.S. coal plant is 35 years old. The plants older than 35 are some of the dirtiest, most inefficient electricity generators, and represent 7 percent of worldwide carbon pollution. Most older coal plants cannot be retrofitted for carbon capture and storage if and when such technology is available.

As a nation, we can save money and reduce emissions by retiring these older coal-fired plants, or “electricity clunkers,” and using wind, solar, or natural gas power instead. The national “cash for clunkers” program that focuses on transportation provides a model for the nation’s power sector.

Using money from the sale of greenhouse gas pollution allowances under a cap-and-trade program, we could create economic incentives to foster the rapid shutdown of dirty, decades-old coal belchers in exchange for renewable and gas electricity. Any transition must ensure strong protections for affected workers and communities.

For more on this topic see:

Natural Gas: A Bridge Fuel for the 21st Century, by John Podesta and Timothy E. Wirth.

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