Most of the Planned Coal Capacity Retirements Are in the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic Regions - CleanTechnica

As of May 2025, U.S. coal-fired power plants have a total operating capacity of 172 gigawatts (GW), which is projected to decline to 145 GW by the end of 2028. Notably, 58% of the planned coal capacity retirements are concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. This trend reflects ongoing shifts in the energy sector, driven by increased competition from natural gas and renewable energy sources, as well as stricter environmental regulations that require coal plants to install pollution control equipment, modify operations, or cease functioning altogether. The retirement plans reported by power plant operators remain subject to change due to evolving policies and market conditions. For instance, Talen Energy postponed the retirement of its Brandon Shores coal plant in Maryland from June 2025 to 2029, and the U.S. Department of Energy recently delayed the retirement of Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell plant in Michigan. Regulatory uncertainty persists, particularly regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency