WashingtonThe Energy Department is keeping aging coal plants open in 3 states.
The emergency orders granted a coal lobby’s wish list, at ratepayers’ expense.
A March 2025 letter to Energy Secretary Wright asked for Environmental Protection Agency rule repeals and rarely used Section 202(c) emergency orders.
A federal appeals court has already struck down one such order, ruling the agency overstepped its authority.
The Energy Department is seeking rehearing while renewing orders to keep plants running in three states.
How each outlet framed it
- The New York Times
- documents coal lobby's March 2025 proposal, then traces Energy Dept emergency orders since May extending nine coal units past retirement dates despite owner protests
Sources: The New York Times