New England is bidding farewell to coal power, marking a significant step towards cleaner energy in the region. With the closure of both coal plants in the state, New England is poised to become the second coal-free region in the United States.
Timeline for Closure
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Granite Shore Power, the plant owner, and other governmental agencies have reached a settlement that includes closing New Hampshire’s coal plants. Other parties involved in the settlement include environmental groups like the Sierra Club and The Conservation Law Foundation.
By 2028 and 2025, respectively, the coal-burning units at Merrimack and Schiller Stations are scheduled for retirement. Schiller Station, a coastal location, will be converted into a center for renewable energy with solar power and battery storage.
New England: A Shift Towards Renewable Energy
Besides becoming the 16th state to eliminate coal, this action highlights New England’s trend of using renewable energy sources. With around 33 gigawatts (GW) of planned solar, wind, and storage capacity, the region is poised to embrace these renewable energy sources.
The retirement of all New England coal-fired power stations will cut carbon emissions significantly—more than 3.1 million cars off the road each year. This decrease in coal capacity, amounting to 2.9 GW, is a significant step in the right direction toward climate change mitigation.
Louisiana’s Venture into Carbon Capture
In southwest Louisiana, the Department of Energy supports Project Cypress, which captures and stores carbon dioxide directly from the air. Although there is potential for this project, some community members are skeptical, and it will need to be significantly scaled up to reduce Louisiana’s high carbon emissions.
The closing of coal-fired power stations in New Hampshire indicates a national trend. The Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Beyond Carbon have been crucial in ensuring the retirement of coal-fired power plants around the country.
New York Leads in Congestion Pricing
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is leading the way in congestion pricing with the aim of reducing traffic and improving air quality in Manhattan. This strategy has shown promise in reducing health concerns related to automobile emissions in various cities worldwide.
Biden Administration Targets Methane Emissions
The Biden administration has finalized a rule to curb methane emissions from oil and gas operations, signaling a commitment to environmental stewardship. This action is expected to benefit the environment and bring in more money for the federal government.
Volvo Bids Farewell to Diesel
Volvo’s decision to stop producing diesel cars indicates the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars (EVs). Volvo’s plan to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2030 has been expedited by tightening recent studies highlighting the far-reaching effects of environmental degradation by speculating that climate change may impact how time is kept worldwide. This is an alarming reminder of how urgent it is to address climate change globally. This shows the rising consumer demand for cleaner transportation.
Along with other projects nationwide, the shutdown of New Hampshire’s coal facilities signifies an important step towards environmental sustainability and cleaner energy. The transition to a carbon-neutral future is becoming increasingly possible as stakeholders work together and innovate, giving hope for a healthy planet and future generations.
