September 7, 2021 |
Governor Mark Gordon is pushing back against Rocky Mountain Power’s enthusiasm for solar and wind power at the expense of traditional fossil fuels. On Wednesday, the Portland-based utility company announced that it is doubling down on “new clean energy resources.” By Friday, the governor criticized the report, saying it does not protect consumers from gaps in base-load power requirements because of an over-reliance on renewable energy.
The details are contained in a 350-page report released on September 1st. The plan calls for RMP’s parent company, PacifiCorp, to “accelerate” its investments in wind, solar, advanced nuclear, battery and pumped hydro-storage technologies. The plan makes clear that coal has no future in Rocky Mountain Power’s future. Give coal its gold watch. The hard rock resource is schedule for retirement. Pages 298 and 299 of the plan spell out the process. Of the 22 coal units online now, 14 will be retired or converted to gas by 2030. Another six will be given early retirement by 2040. These include the four units at both Jim Bridger and Dave Johnston.
RMP says the plan results in 74 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, which is a 15 percent increase over 2019 projections. Governor Gordon said the plan limits RMP’s options by focusing on “intermittent sources” of power generation. The governor said customers want the lights to come on when they flip the switch. The governor did give PacifiCorp credit for modeling how the proposed advanced nuclear plant will contribute to supplying energy needs. The report is silent of where the plant will be located. The “Integrated Resource Plan” now goes to the Wyoming Public Service Commission for review. The governor said he looks forward to seeing the commission’s findings.
Pictured above: Photo courtesy of the Office of Mark Gordon.
