From western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountain ridges, you can see coal-fired power plants and their plumes water vapor. These have been integral to the region’s economic life for more than 50 years. But it may not be for much longer.
Three plants directly east of Pittsburgh Employ 550 people and support an estimated 8,100 jobs, according to Power PA Jobs Alliance, a coalition of labor and industry groups. Two of them, the generating stations at Conemaugh near the Indiana-Westmoreland County boundary and Keystone in eastern Armstrong County, are slated to close by 2028.
The owners blame the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the costs they incurred Wastewater management. According to the regulations, at least 26 plants across 14 states are expected to cease using coal. News reports. Pennsylvania Governor. Tom Wolf’s unilateral decision to join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
These plants have sunk billions into environmental projects, according to Ken Umholtz, a Conemaugh employee, commenting on the EPA’s concern about water quality. We never finish one thing and then we start another.
Umholtz stated, despite the fact that Conemaugh plants recycle most of their water, environmentalists plan to regulate them out of business. But, they won’t be able to have electricity, because there is no way to replace us.
Conemaugh, Keystone and Keystone each produce 1,800 megawatts of electric power. Homer City’s third coal-fired power plant produces 2,000 megawatts of electricity and plans to continue its operation. These three plants can power more that 5 million homes.
Allen Goldberg, chief operational officer of General Trade Corp., a contractor that manages materials transported to the plant, stated that coal is the only energy source that can make this much electricity.
Goldberg stated that there are some basic laws of Physics that apply to everything in our lives. One of these laws is that you cannot shut down a plant like this without replacing it. He said that the region lacks the infrastructure to supply natural gasoline as an alternative fuel.
Allan Manning unloads railcars, which transport the bulk coal of the plants. He is 35 years old and hopes to end his career at Conemaugh. But he wonders whether that will ever happen.
Manning said that three generations of my family were raised with these plants. Manning’s grandfather, father and uncle were all tradesmen who operated, maintained, or built power plants. My wife and I have two daughters, ages 8 and 6, with her being able stay at home with them. Without the salary I make at this plant, we couldn’t have done it. These plants provide a livelihood for thousands of people.
Manning claims that closing plants could reduce the local tax base. Directors of the local school board believe they would have to layoff teachers.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 459. A union based in Johnstown, most plant employees are members of. Aric Baker is a Senior Business Representative from Local 459 and wishes that his parent union was more vocal in regards to regulations that could affect the plants. However, he stated that the IBEW hierarchy cannot ignore the politics involved in having members work at competing nuclear power plants.
It is very frustrating because so many Local 459s members are tied to fossil fuels, said Baker who is also an Air-Emissions Technician at Keystone. Nearly 40% of the 2,000 local members work at power lines or coal plants.
Baker stated that the cost of the EPAs rule wouldn’t be as significant a concern for plants if it wasn’t for Wolfs insistent on joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It amounts to a carbon tax, which would increase the cost of electricity and make it less affordable. Wolf has vetoed a legislative resolution to prevent the state from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and has sued in Commonwealth Court to force the tax into immediate effect.
Pennsylvania is the top exporter of electricity among states, a rare instance of economic leadership for the state. It is a poor economic strategy to chase out power producers by imposing punitive taxes or regulations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania has the nation’s 15th highest unemployment rate. 44th on Multistates Open-for-Business Index.
It doesnt make sense to shut down prematurely coal plants that provide the security of on-site fuel storage and an alternative when prices of natural gas and other sources spike or when other resources are unavailable, said Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of Americas Power, an industry trade group.
Bloodworth stated that coal plants were among the most reliable sources of energy during a Texas power outage in February. According to a federal reportCoal-fired power plants accounted only for 6% of outages, while natural gases and wind plants accounted 58% and 27% respectively.
Baker said that blackouts will occur if these plants are shut down. I bought a generator for my home two years ago. I know the reality of the situation.
The Daily Signal is open to all perspectives. This article is not meant to represent the views of The Heritage Foundation.
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