Washington, D.C. – America’s Power President and CEO Michelle Bloodworth issued the following statement in response to the release of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2025-2026 Winter Reliability Assessment.
“NERC’s winter reliability assessment found that parts of the United States could face elevated reliability risks this winter if extreme cold returns.
“The report noted that coal-fueled power plants continue ‘to play an important role in meeting demand during extreme winter weather events’ and help to support grid reliability, thanks to their ability to store fuel on-site and operate independently of just-in-time fuel delivery systems. However, ongoing coal retirements are reducing reserve margins in several regions.
“Unfortunately, the premature retirement of coal power plants continues to weaken the nation’s electric reliability. For example, PJM Interconnection notes a decrease in reserve margins this winter due to the closure of existing power plants without sufficient new generation to replace them. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council also attributes part of its reduced capacity to coal unit retirements.
“NERC’s winter assessment underscores the importance of maintaining a diverse energy mix and preserving reliable generation resources. America’s Power urges policymakers to consider these findings as they make decisions affecting grid reliability and energy security.”