The city approved a plan in 2020 to shut the Fayette Power Project plant with the aim of eliminating carbon emissions. But political, economic and technological forces have gotten in the way.
The Fayette Power Project plant is a coal-fired power plant located near La Grange, in Fayette County.Sign up for The Brief
The second, after missing the 2022 goal, was on August 17, 2023, when Austin Energy made $11 million from the plant on that day alone. Austin is not the only Texas city with such goals. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio all hope to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, in accordance with the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. But cities and private utilities are also incentivized to keep costs low for customers, making plants like the Fayette Power Project hard to quit.
This year, ERCOT created financial incentives to encourage power generators to expand their ancillary services, a system in which power generators hold a portion of their total power generating capacity on the side, ready to provide more to the grid when demand threatens to outpace supply.
Hirs said prices on the ERCOT market have been higher this summer thanks to the expansion of ancillary services, because a portion of power that previously would be sold has been taken away to act as a reserve, driving down supply while demand has soared. Through the reserve system, coal plants can also get paid simply for keeping some of their capacity available if called upon.
That dynamic has frustrated environmentalists, a group of which held a rally with about 50 people outside Austin Energy’s headquarters this August before packing a public meeting. For more than an hour of tense public dialogue, representatives from Austin Energy responded to speeches and questions from the group. Many were carrying signs such as one that said “no more coal.
Instead, Hartley thinks that as more renewable energy gets added to the grid, more dispatchable power like natural gas plants need to also be added.that it would phase out a coal plant by the end of 2028. Instead of developing more batteries or renewable energy, CPS will be converting the plant to run off of natural gas. Earlier this month, in an effort to secure more reserve power ahead of winter, ERCOT asked CPS to bring a coal plant it recently shut down back into operation. CPS refused.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Austin airport shares travel tips for record-breaking departure day after Austin City LimitsThe Austin-Bergstrom International Airport provided some tips and tricks for everyone leaving after Austin City Limits.Monday is expected to be among the top fi
Read more »
In trying to close its coal power plant, Austin encounters obstacles to going greenThe city approved a plan in 2020 to shut the Fayette Power Project plant with the aim of eliminating carbon emissions. But political, economic and technological forces have gotten in the way.
Read more »
Federal judge to hear arguments on limits to Trump comments in 2020 election caseThe special counsel argued that former President Donald Trump has an 'established practice' of targeting those who challenge him.
Read more »
North Carolina becoming 2024 battleground for Democrats vying to reclaim swing state Trump won in 2020North Carolina is increasingly considered a 2024 battleground for Democrats vying to take back the swing state former President Trump narrowly carried in 2020.
Read more »
This Mental Health Therapist Started Running in 2020 to Find Bright Spots in Her DaysEmily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
Read more »