The recent update of PacifiCorp’s Integrated Resource Plan IRP for its coal-powered plants, including the Hunter and Huntington plants in Utah, shows a shift in energy strategy.
While previous drafts indicated the closure of these plants in the next two decades, the latest plan pushes their potential retirement to 2045, largely due to regulatory changes at both the state and federal levels.
The company plans to reduce coal burning at these plants, while utilizing cleaner energy resources like solar, wind, and energy storage, though there are concerns about the limited investment in these renewable sources.
Legislators, particularly in Utah, have influenced this shift by prioritizing the maintenance and longevity of coal units, with Rep. Colin Jack, R-St George, emphasizing the resilience of these plants. Despite operating at reduced capacity, these plants will continue to fill energy gaps in the afternoon when solar power generation drops.
However, critics like Logan Mitchell from Utah Clean Energy argue that the ongoing operation of these aging plants, especially beyond their expected retirement dates, will be costly and unsustainable. Furthermore, PacifiCorp’s reduced focus on new solar and wind projects in the coming years has raised concerns about the state’s future energy mix.
The draft plan indicates a significant investment in renewable energy, including 6.3 gigawatts of new wind power and 7.6 gigawatts of storage by 2045.
However, the uncertainty surrounding environmental regulatory compliance, particularly with the Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze standards, has limited the company’s ability to make large investments in cleaner energy in the immediate future.
