“From Industrial Blight to Green Oasis: The Transformation of Retired Coal Plants in the U.S.”
As the United States continues to move away from coal-fired power plants, the question arises: what happens to these plants once they shut down? With over 200 coal-fired power plants currently in operation in the country, the need for a plan to repurpose these sites is crucial.
According to a report by EcoWatch, the U.S. has been scaling back its coal generation since reaching its peak in 2011. By the end of 2026, it is projected that half of the country’s coal capacity will have been retired. This shift away from coal is driven by the recognition of the toxic pollutants emitted by coal plants into the air, water, and soil, leaving a legacy of contamination that must be addressed.
Michigan’s Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) sees retiring coal plants as an opportunity for the creation of new greenways, parklands, wildlife habitat, and clean energy development. Howard Learner, president and executive director of ELPC, emphasized the value of these sites, many of which are located on valuable lakefront or riverfront property.
From 2010 to 2019, 290 coal plants with over 100 gigawatts of capacity were closed across the U.S. The retirement process for these sites includes decommissioning, remediation, and redevelopment. Major utility company Consumers Energy in Michigan plans to retire two coal plants ahead of schedule by 2025, presenting a unique opportunity for repurposing industrial brownfields into hubs of renewable energy and community collaboration.
ELPC’s Power Plants to Parklands (P2P) initiative aims to reinvent the redevelopment of retired coal plant sites. By collaborating with communities and stakeholders, ELPC is working to turn former coal plants into parklands where there is community support and ecological and financial feasibility.
One example of this initiative is the redevelopment of the Daniel E. Karn Power Plant site in Michigan, which will provide over 85 MW of solar energy, powering approximately 20,000 homes. The site’s connection to the energy grid makes it an ideal location for clean energy redevelopment.
ELPC is also working on projects at the Trenton Channel Power Plant and the J.H. Campbell coal plant, envisioning these sites as valuable green spaces for the community. By repurposing retiring coal plant sites, ELPC aims to not only create environmental benefits but also maintain and potentially increase local tax revenue.
The P2P initiative seeks to transform retired coal plant sites into public green spaces where residents can connect with nature and enjoy the healing power of the environment. As the era of coal plants comes to an end, ELPC’s project offers a model for communities nationwide to navigate the closure of coal plants and shape a more sustainable future.