Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,298 posts)
Wed Mar 18, 2026, 04:04 PM Yesterday

Trump administration tries to force coal plants on Washington

US Department of Energy memo

Trump Administration Keeps Coal Plant Open to Ensure Affordable, Reliable and Secure Power in the Northwest

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today issued an emergency order to ensure Americans in the Northwestern region of the United States have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity.


WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today issued an emergency order to ensure Americans in the Northwestern region of the United States have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity. The order directs TransAlta to keep Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station in Centralia, Washington available to operate. Unit 2 of the coal plant was scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. The reliable supply of power from the Centralia plant is essential to maintaining grid stability across the Northwest, and this order ensures that the region avoids unnecessary blackout risks and costs.

“The last administration’s energy subtraction policies had the United States on track to likely experience significantly more blackouts in the coming years — thankfully, President Trump won’t let that happen,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “The Trump administration will continue taking action to keep America’s coal plants running so we can stop the price spikes and ensure we don’t lose critical generation sources. Americans deserve access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power their homes all the time, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.”

Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, coal plants across the country are reversing plans to shut down. On December 16, 2025, Secretary Wright issued an emergency order directing TransAlta to keep Unit 2 (729.9 MW) available to operate.
According to DOE’s Resource Adequacy Report, blackouts were on track to potentially increase 100 times by 2030 if the U.S. continued to take reliable power offline as it did during the Biden administration.

https://www.energy.gov/articles/trump-administration-keeps-coal-plant-open-ensure-affordable-reliable-and-secure-power

Dunning - Kruger on full display

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump administration tries to force coal plants on Washington (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Yesterday OP
Even if the energy company does not want to use costly, dirty, difficult to use coal JT45242 Yesterday #1
The gov't (Trump) insists that industry not replace coal with more efficient energy. Norrrm Yesterday #2
Who doesn't like to breathe coal plant exhaust? Turbineguy 23 hrs ago #3

JT45242

(4,025 posts)
1. Even if the energy company does not want to use costly, dirty, difficult to use coal
Wed Mar 18, 2026, 04:07 PM
Yesterday

But I bet old Maserati Manchin's family is still raking in the bucks and is grateful

Norrrm

(4,891 posts)
2. The gov't (Trump) insists that industry not replace coal with more efficient energy.
Wed Mar 18, 2026, 04:16 PM
Yesterday

That does not sound like free market capitalism.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Washington»Trump administration trie...