In brief
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the largest public utility in the U.S., has decided to abandon its plan to close the Kingston and Cumberland coal-fired power plants in Tennessee. This decision comes as the utility faces increasing electricity demand and regulatory changes. The TVA had previously aimed for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035; however, clean energy advocates have criticized this move as a setback in the push for cleaner energy alternatives. The utility plans to introduce natural gas plants at both sites but now seeks to retain the coal facilities, raising concerns regarding public health and environmental impact.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest public utility, is opting to keep two coal-fired power plants operational instead of pursuing their planned closure.
In new filings, the TVA has expressed intentions to eliminate closure dates for the Kingston Fossil Plant and Cumberland Fossil Plant in Tennessee, which will necessitate further actions from its board. This revised strategy includes plans to introduce natural gas-fired plants at both locations.
The TVA had previously committed to shutting down its aging coal plants by 2035 to contribute to climate change mitigation through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, the utility, which provides electricity to approximately 10 million residents across seven states, is reconsidering this position due to regulatory shifts and increasing demands for electricity.
“As power demand grows, TVA is evaluating all options to strengthen our generating capacity while ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for our 10 million customers, and supporting job creation and community development,” stated TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks.
Clean energy advocates have raised concerns regarding TVA's new direction, arguing that extending the coal plants’ lifespan contradicts the utility's previous statements about needing more natural gas facilities for transitioning away from coal.
“TVA is ignoring calls for cleaner energy solutions,” said Gabi Lichtenstein, Tennessee Program Coordinator for Appalachian Voices. “Continuing operations at these coal plants means residents will face toxic pollution for an extended period.”
President Donald Trump has previously influenced TVA board decisions, including significant board member changes that resulted in a lack of quorum for voting on closures. Following a series of executive orders aimed at supporting the coal industry under Trump, TVA began reviewing its coal plants' operational timelines, including the recent decision to delay closures.
TVA ongoing concerns about meeting power demands are partially attributed to the rapid expansion of data centers, driven by the rising needs associated with artificial intelligence technology. TVA President and CEO Don Moul indicated that data center demand accounted for approximately 18% of the TVA industrial load in 2025, with anticipation that it will double by the year 2030.
This move to retain coal operations raises serious implications for TVA’s objectives of drastically reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
