Earthjustice & Sierra Club Blast Trump Administration Order to Keep Washington’s Last Coal Plant Open - CleanTechnica

The article reports on the opposition from Earthjustice and the Sierra Club to a Department of Energy (DOE) order under the Trump administration that forces the TransAlta coal plant in Centralia, Washington—the state’s last coal-fired power plant—to remain operational. Both environmental groups argue that the DOE’s order is unlawful and contradicts the interests of Washington residents, who favor cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy sources. They contend that the administration is misusing Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, which is intended for short-term emergency power needs, to prolong the operation of an outdated and polluting coal plant, thereby undermining planned energy transitions and increasing costs for consumers. The legal challenge, supported by Earthjustice on behalf of several environmental organizations and the State of Washington, asserts that the Trump administration’s intervention disrupts regional energy planning and prioritizes coal despite its inefficiency and environmental harm. The Sierra Club emphasizes that the administration’s interference poses a greater risk to energy reliability in the Northwest than