US coal plants face divergent fates as APS extends, FERC rejects

· Energy · United States

Arizona Public Service signed a coal supply contract extension with Navajo Transitional Energy Co. that would keep the Four Corners plant running past its 2031 closure date to 2038. Separately, FERC rejected TransAlta's proposed cost-recovery plan for the Centralia coal plant.

Why it matters：The two decisions show US regulators and utilities pulling in opposite directions on coal retirement timing, with direct consequences for ratepayers, coal suppliers and grid reliability planning.

Key points

  • APS extended Four Corners operation from 2031 to 2038.
  • The extension relies on a coal supply contract with Navajo Transitional Energy Co.
  • FERC rejected TransAlta's cost-recovery plan for the Centralia plant.

Sources (original reporting)

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