The Biden Administration has made a significant commitment to transitioning away from coal power, announcing that the United States will not build any new coal plants and will phase out existing ones. The announcement was made by U.S. Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry at the annual United Nations climate change summit, COP28, happening in Dubai. While no specific date was given for the phase-out, the administration is determined to accelerate the process.
Kerry stated, We will be working to accelerate unabated coal phase-out across the world, building stronger economies and more resilient communities. The first step is to stop making the problem worse: stop building new unabated coal power plants. The United States will join the Powering Past Coal Alliance, a group of nearly 60 countries committed to the elimination of coal-fired power stations, except those equipped with carbon capture and storage technology.
This move aligns with America’s plan to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Currently, coal powers just under 20% of electricity in the United States, a significant decrease from 2008 levels. President Biden has previously stated that coal plants all across the country will be replaced with wind and solar energy.
The transition away from coal in the U.S. has already begun, driven by clean energy tax credits and regulations that make it economically challenging for coal operators to compete. The Institute for Energy Economics and Finance Analysis predicts that 173 coal plants will close by 2030, with an additional 54 shutting down by 2040.
One example is the Brandon Shores coal power plant near Baltimore, Maryland. The plant, with a capacity of 1,295 megawatts, is set to deactivate in June 2025 as part of a settlement between its operator and the environmental group Sierra Club. Such closures are crucial as burning coal produces significantly more carbon emissions than other non-renewable fuels. The American Geosciences Institute reveals that coal power can have up to twice the carbon footprint of natural gas.
While the U.S. is taking proactive steps to reduce its coal reliance, the country’s approach stands in contrast to China, which is responsible for approximately 27% of global emissions. China outpaces the U.S., the world’s second-largest emitter, by triple the emissions output. As COP28 gets underway, global delegates have been advocating for Western nations, including the U.S., to immediately ban new natural gas infrastructure projects.
The ambitious commitment from the Biden Administration reflects a dedicated effort to combat climate change and transition to a greener future. By phasing out coal and embracing cleaner energy solutions, the United States aims to contribute to the global effort of limiting global warming and building more sustainable communities.
