US utility PacifiCorp delays some coal retirements

: Coal, Electricity
24/04/01

PacifiCorp subsidiary Rocky Mountain Power is planning on potentially longer operations for its coal-fired power plants in Wyoming and Utah.

The utility's preferred scenario proposed in an updated integrated resource plan (IRP) released today envisions running seven coal-fired units in Utah and Wyoming as long as 2042.

"PacifiCorp's coal resources will continue to play a pivotal role in following fluctuations in renewable energy as the remaining coal units approach retirement dates," the company said in its updated plan.

The updates also reflect legislative and regulatory changes, including the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of Wyoming's ozone plan and the stay of EPA's disapproval of Utah's ozone plan results in fewer restrictions on coal-fired operation than were assumed in the 2023 IRP.

The most dramatic extension is for PacifiCorp's Hunter and Huntington coal plants, with the company bringing the plans for those plants back to what it had modeled in 2021.The utility now plans to retire all three units of Hunter in 2042 instead of the 2031-32 retirements laid out in the original 2023 IRP. The plan filed today also maps out retiring Huntington units 1 and 2 in 2036, four years later than expected a year ago.

Both Utah and Wyoming passed legislation recently aimed at preserving coal-fired generation in those states. PacifiCorp is currently reviewing and analyzing the new legislation, and the specific effects the laws will have. That analysis will be part of the 2025 IRP now underway, PacifiCorp said.

But the company's final plan for compliance with Wyoming's revised low-carbon energy portfolio standard, which was submitted to the state's utility commission on 29 March, included a proposed pre-front end engineering and design study for an amine-based carbon capture retrofit at Jim Bridger units 3 and 4. According to the updated 2023 IRP, these units are now expected be retrofitted with carbon capture (CCS) technology in 2028 and operate through 2039. The company previously expected to convert both of the units to natural gas in 2030 and to close them in 2037.

PacifiCorp subsidiary Rocky Mountain Power also announced separately on 29 March that it has formalized a memorandum of understanding with energy technology firm 8 Rivers Capital to consider a carbon capture project at either the Dave Johnston or Wyodak coal-fired power plants. The work will be also supported by South Korea's SK Group, a conglomerate of more than 175 tech innovation companies.

Dave Johnston's four coal-fired units, which were built between 1959 and 1972, can generate 745MW of electricity. PacifiCorp's updated IRP keeps the retirement dates for three out of four coal-fired units of the plant as 31 December 2027-31 December 2028 and still has the last unit of the plant closing in 2039.

Wyodak, which is 80pc owned by PacifiCorp and 20pc by Black Hills Energy in South Dakota, is also expected to close in 2039, the same as PacifiCorp modeled last year.

The project being considered by Rocky Mountain Power would use a technology that would include synthetic gas generation with inherent carbon capture.

Wyoming governor Mark Gordon (R), who has been a proponent of CCS projects in the state, said that PacifiCorp's announcement gives an extended life to the state's coal-fired power plants. "This decision to take this action comes as a result of the Wyoming Legislature and me working closely together in both policy and legislation in support of keeping our coal as a base fuel for dependable, dispatchable energy." Earlier in March, Gordon signed a bill into law that extends the compliance deadline for coal plant carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology requirements and loosens some regulations around low-carbon energy generation standards.

By Elena Vasilyeva

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

25/05/21

Thailand's Banpu adopts biomass co-firing in China

Singapore, 21 May (Argus) — Thailand's mining and power generation conglomerate Banpu plans to adopt biomass co-firing for all its combined heat and power plants (CHPs) in northern China. It has fully implemented 10pc biomass co-firing at its coal-fired Zhengding power plant. The plant has a total installed capacity of 139MW electrical (MWe), including a power generation capacity of 73MW and steam production output at 370 t/hr. The type of biomass used at this plant could not be immediately ascertained, and Banpu did not respond to a request for comment. Banpu's Zouping CHP, with a combined capacity of 233MWe, 125MW of power and steam output at 600 t/hr, is "undergoing commissioning", the company said. Its plans to co-fire with biomass at the 246MWe Luannan coal-fired plant is in the "bidding phase," the company added. The plant has a power capacity of 150MW and steam production output at 538 t/hr. The move to boost biomass co-firing at its operations in China is part of the company's plans to reduce carbon emissions and earn revenue from carbon emission allowances (CEAs)— a type of carbon credit or emission permit, giving rights to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases within a carbon market. CEAs are part of a "cap-and-trade" system, designed to reduce overall emissions. Higher earnings from CEAs from its Chinese plants and cost management in the coal business lifted its net profit in the first quarter. Banpu reported a net profit of 574mn baht ($17.3mn) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation in the first quarter, up by 19pc from the same period in 2024. By Nadhir Mokhtar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

25/05/20

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

Rio de Janeiro, 20 May (Argus) — Brazil is arguing that its developing country status allows it to consolidate its position as a major crude producer and is likely to lean on developed countries during much-awaited discussions on moving away from fossil fuels at the UN Cop 30 climate conference in November. Attempts to reach an ambitious outcome on mitigation — cutting greenhouse gas emissions — and actions to move away from fossil fuels were quashed at Cop 29 in Baku last year, and all eyes are on Brazil to bridge divides on this issue . Cop 30 president-designate Andre Correa do Lago has failed to address fossil fuels in his two letters outlining priorities for the summit, but members of the Cop 30 team have indicated the issue will be on the agenda. With geopolitical tensions and energy security questions redirecting government priorities away from the energy transition, the outlook is more challenging than when Cop parties agreed the global stocktake (GST) conclusion on fossil fuels and energy in 2023 . But Brazil is well-placed to take the lead. It is a respected player in climate discussions and has one of the cleanest energy mix — 49pc of its energy and 89pc of its electricity comes from renewables. Its own mitigation efforts prioritize slashing deforestation, which accounts for the lion's share of Brazil's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Non-profit World Resources Institute Brazil describes the emissions reduction target in Brazil's nationally determined contribution (NDC) — climate plan — as "reasonable to insufficient" and notes that energy emissions are expected to increase by 20pc in the decade to 2034. Its NDC avoids any concrete steps towards winding down crude. After you The government's view on fossil fuels is that Brazil's developing country status, the oil and gas industry's importance in its economy and comparatively low fossil fuel emissions justify pushing ahead with oil production. Correa do Lago said earlier that Belem was picked as a venue for Cop 30 to show that Brazil is still a developing country, adding that any decision on oil and gas should be taken by Brazil's citizens. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that oil revenue will fund the energy transition. It is a position that has earned Brazil accusations of hypocrisy from environmentalists at home and abroad, but which also places it as a possible model for other hydrocarbon-producer developing countries. Brazil's diplomatic tradition of pragmatically balancing seemingly opposing positions could serve it well here, said Gabriel Brasil, a senior analyst focused on climate at Control Risks, a consultancy. He does not see Brazil's attempt to balance climate leadership with continued oil production as hurting its standing among fellow parties or energy investors. Civil society stakeholders hope pre-Cop meetings will help bring clarity on how Brazil might broach the fossil fuel debate. Indigenous groups, which are set to be given more space at Cop, are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas offshore basin. Meanwhile, Brazilian state-owned Petrobras moved one step closer to being authorized to begin offshore drilling there . During meetings of the UN climate body — the UNFCCC — in Panama City this week, the Cop 30 presidency will present ideas for the summit "with a focus on the full implementation of the GST". But it has to wait for countries to update their NDCs to gauge what is achievable on mitigation. Only 20 have submitted new NDCs so far, with the deadline pushed back to September. Brazil's own NDC gives some clues. It welcomes the launch "of international work for the definition of schedules for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems" and reiterates that developed countries should take the lead. And a report commissioned by Brazil's oil chamber IBP and civil society organization ICS to be given to negotiators ranks Brazil as a "mover" in the transition away from oil and gas, ahead of "adapters" like India and Nigeria but behind "front-runners" Germany and the US. The research develops the idea of a country-based transition plan, using criteria such as energy security and institutional and social resilience, as well as oil and gas relevance. By Constance Malleret 2023 Brazil emissions sources Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Nuclear issue splits Australia’s opposition coalition

25/05/20

Nuclear issue splits Australia’s opposition coalition

Sydney, 20 May (Argus) — Australia's Liberal-National opposition coalition has split because of a nuclear energy disagreement, leaving the ruling Labor Party in a stronger position to push through its renewable energy agenda and possibly ushering in a period of energy policy stability. The Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the split at a press conference at parliament house on 20 May. He said the parties are no longer aligned on nuclear forming part of the energy grid and its proposed A$20bn ($12.8bn) future fund for regional Australia. The Liberal party did not confirm whether it would support nuclear energy or the future fund, Littleproud added. Australia's opposition coalition — comprising of the right-leaning National and Liberal parties — has separated after an 80-year alliance, further affirming the Labor government's majority after its landslide win on 3 May . Neither the Liberal nor the National party is likely to form government in the future without each other's support, so the split hands more power to the Labor party to pursue its energy transition policies and could allow the Liberal party to move towards the middle of the political spectrum. It could also see the Labor and Liberal parties forming a consensus, after many years of disagreement on energy policy as well as resources and energy tax regimes . The Liberal party needs time to "reinvent" themselves after their massive loss, he added. The party lost 15 seats in the House of Representatives in the last election, while the Nationals lost just one. Littleproud said he will work with the Liberal party leader Sussan Ley to rebuild their relationship and potentially reform a coalition before the next election. "We will be pragmatic and work constructively with Sussan Ley and her team to bring down the Albanese government after next election," he said. By Grace Dudley Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU, UK to ‘work towards’ linking carbon markets

25/05/19

EU, UK to ‘work towards’ linking carbon markets

London, 19 May (Argus) — The EU and UK agreed to work towards linking their respective emissions trading systems (ETS), as part of their common understanding agreement concluded at a summit in London today. "The European Commission and the United Kingdom share the view that a functioning link between carbon markets would address many of the issues raised in respect of trade and a level playing field," the agreement states. A linking agreement should exempt both jurisdictions from their respective carbon border adjustment mechanisms, according to the common understanding, and the linked systems should cover power and industrial heat generation, and domestic and international maritime and aviation emissions. The statement specifically states that any link "should not constrain the European Union and the United Kingdom from pursuing higher environmental ambition". It also underlines that the UK ETS's supply cap and its emissions reduction pathway are "guided by" the country's Climate Change Act and nationally determined contributions to the Paris climate agreement, and that these should be "at least as ambitious" as the EU's. The UK has legally binding targets to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 68pc by 2030 and 81pc by 2035, both compared with 1990 levels. The EU aims to cut its net GHG emissions by 55pc by 2030, and is yet to set a 2035 target. Both jurisdictions are targeting net zero emissions by 2050, while they share the "same interests" in addressing climate change, commission president Ursula von der Leyen said today. Linking the systems would "save British businesses £800mn in EU carbon taxes", UK prime minister Keir Starmer said today, without specifying a timeframe for the savings. A study commissioned by a range of utilities and published last week found that linking the two systems would save up to €1.2bn on lower hedging costs resulting from improved market liquidity and lower bid-offer spreads. Today's agreement provides no timeline for linking the systems. The process to negotiate and link the Swiss ETS to the EU's scheme took almost 10 years. Alongside plans to work towards linking the EU and UK ETS, the jurisdictions also alluded in the agreement to continuing "technical regulatory exchanges" on energy technologies including hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and biomethane. And they will "explore in detail the necessary parameters" for the UK's potential participation in the EU's internal power market. By Victoria Hatherick and Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US House panel votes down Republican megabill

25/05/16

US House panel votes down Republican megabill

Washington, 16 May (Argus) — A key committee in the US House of Representatives voted today to reject a massive budget bill backed by President Donald Trump, as far-right conservatives demanded deeper cuts to clean energy tax credits and social spending programs. The House Budget Committee failed to pass the budget reconciliation bill in a 16-21 vote, with four House Freedom Caucus members — Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Oklahoma) and Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) — voting no alongside Democrats. A fifth Republican voted no for procedural reasons. The failed vote will force Republicans to consider major changes to the bill before it comes up for a vote on the House floor as early as next week. Republican holdouts say the bill would fall short of their party's promises to cut the deficit, particularly because it would front-load increased spending and back-load cuts. The bill is set to add $3.3 trillion to the deficit, or $5.2 trillion if temporary provisions were permanent, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Some critics of the bill said the proposed cut of $560bn in clean energy tax credits is not enough, because the bill would retain some tax credits for new wind and solar projects. "A lot of these credits have been in existence for 30 or 40 years, and you talk about giveaways, we want to help those who really need help," Norman said ahead of his no vote. "That's the heart of this. Sadly, I'm a no until we get this ironed out." Negotiations will fall to House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who can only lose three votes when the bill comes up for a vote by the full House. But stripping away more of the energy tax credits enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act could end up costing Johnson votes among moderates. More than a dozen Republicans on 14 May asked to pare back newly proposed restrictions on the remaining clean energy tax credits. Ahead of the failed vote, Trump had pushed Republicans to support what he calls the "Big Beautiful Bill". In a social media post, he said "Republicans MUST UNITE" in support of the bill and said the party did not need "GRANDSTANDERS". The failed vote has parallels to the struggles that Democrats had in 2021 before the implosion of their push to pass their sprawling "Build Back Better" bill, which was later revived as the Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans say they will work over the weekend on a compromise. The House Budget Committee has scheduled another hearing at 10pm on 18 May to attempt to vote again on the budget package, but any changes to the measure would occur later, through an amendment released before the bill comes up for a vote on the House floor. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more