TVA closing 8 coal units at plants in Ala. and Ky.
The nation’s largest public utility is shuttering eight coal-fired boilers, and more reductions could be in store.
The Tennessee Valley Authority board voted unanimously Thursday to shut down all five coal-burning units at the Colbert plant in Tuscumbia, Ala., one of two remaining units at the Widows Creek plant in Stevenson, Ala., and two of three units at the Paradise plant in Drakesboro, Ky.
CEO Bill Johnson says the change is needed because power demand is down and environmental regulations are becoming stricter.
Several more coal reductions are possible. Johnson said the final unit at Widows Creek is still under evaluation as are the Allen plant in Memphis, Tenn., and the Shawnee plant near Paducah, Ky.