Santa almost put a lump of coal in stockings across Indiana on Christmas Eve of 2022. Our power supply was in jeopardy as an extreme freeze and high winds moved in just before Christmas. Coal-fired power plants did not perform well under these conditions. Just as demand grew to meet Hoosier households’ heating and cooking needs, many coal-fired plants, along with gas and nuclear generation, buckled under the pressure.
Extreme frigid temps can cause coal piles to freeze, limiting their accessibility. Cold temperatures can also impact the combustion process, making it harder to burn coal effectively and lead to limitations on water intake systems needed to run coal power generation. These items point to the reliability limitations of coal when it comes to keeping the lights on for Hoosiers.
According to Michael Bryson, senior vice president of system operations for PJM, the nation’s largest grid operator, the grid saw significant generation outages with about 25% of the grid’s capacity failing with Winter Storm Elliot. Coal, gas, and nuclear power were all impaired on Dec 23, 2022, while renewables, mostly made up of wind, performed well. Another challenge on that fateful day was that the transmission grid that moves electricity hundreds of miles when required, was having trouble getting power to where it was needed. Hoosiers kept the lights on that day, but we came perilously close to a grid disaster.
Not having electric power when we need it is unacceptable. Indiana needs smart solutions that protect Hoosiers. Rational choices that bring multiple benefits are available, but special interests have a way of bringing forward “solutions” that meet their needs more than the needs of regular citizens. Take the state of Kentucky, for example. Lawmakers there recently passed a bill to slow the decommissioning of coal power generation facilities. This was done in the name of “reliability”, but one must wonder if reliable profits was the true motivator.
The downside
Coal power generation has many liabilities, starting with being expensive. Indiana’s utilities are planning to eventually eliminate coal power generation. More economical and reliable sources of energy are available. In addition to cost concerns, coal is dirty. Burning coal is linked to health conditions including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments as well as environmental concerns related to acid rain and climate change. Coal ash or the residue left over after burning coal, is currently filling unlined pits along waterways across Indiana and is allowing toxins like mercury and arsenic to seep into our groundwater. While coal has played an important historical role in building our economy, better solutions are now available. In the interest of all Hoosiers, it is time to move away from coal.
A mix of economic, reliable, and clean energy options is available to Hoosiers now. With smart investment, wind and solar, combined with energy storage could power 50% of our grid with the available technology. However, less than 10% of Indiana’s energy comes from renewables. In addition, Indiana has not tapped the opportunity to provide power at the local level, close to the demand. Local or on-site generation lessens the need for costly transmission line expansion and upgrades. Community solar is one such opportunity.
Community solar allows independent energy companies to build solar projects on warehouse roofs, community brownfields, and sites using 10 to 20 acres of farm ground compared to the expansive utility-scale solar projects that require hundreds of acres. Then, regular Hoosiers can “subscribe” to the community solar project and receive a discount on their electric bill. This way Hoosiers save money, benefit from clean renewable energy, and help provide power generation where it is needed most. Businesses benefit too. They may choose to be an anchor subscriber by agreeing to buy a percentage of the project’s power generation. Utility ratepayers benefit because this new power is paid for by private investors, subscribers pay a utility connection fee, and the need for costly transmission upgrades are lessened. This is a classic win/win example, and it requires legislation to make it possible. Investor-owned utility cooperation and participation is needed, but their instincts to protect their market share means they don’t participate in community solar in states where it is not mandated.
Hoosier Environmental Council is working in coalition with Hoosiers for Community Solar to bring community solar to Indiana. Visit Hoosier Environmental Council online to learn how you can benefit from community solar and be an advocate. If enough Hoosiers let their voices be heard about how important local community solar is to them, perhaps we’ll get a little sunshine in our Christmas stockings this year, rather than more coal.
Sam Carpenter is executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council. This commentary previously appeared at indianacapitalchronicle.com. Send comments to [email protected].
