Despite What You Might Read

February 7, 2020

Use of Coal Declines

During the past decade, the United States has seen significant coal retirements, and 2019 continued that trend with 12,529 megawatts (MW) of coal summer capacity retired. This level of retirements is the third-highest level of annual coal retirements since 2010 after 2015 (14,866 MW) and 2018 (13,304 MW). In 2018 and 2019, decreasing wholesale prices, low natural gas prices, and increased participation of renewable energy resources all contributed to coal retirements. In addition to these factors, in 2015, environmental compliance with the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) for coal-fired and oil-fired power plants was a significant factor in determining coal retirements.
Bar graph showing U.S. coal generating unit retirements in megawatts from 2010 to 2019.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report and Form EIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report. 
Notes: Data for 2010 through 2018 are final; data for 2019 are preliminary. Megawatts represent summer capacity of generating units.

Coal retirements in 2019 were not limited to any one state or type of coal. The three largest coal plants to retire in 2019 were First Energy Bruce Mansfield (2,490 MW) in Pennsylvania, Navajo (2,250 MW) in Arizona, and Gorgas (1,063 MW) in Alabama. On a state-wide basis, the states with the largest coal capacity retirements were:

1. Pennsylvania (2,589 MW, or 20% of total coal retirements)
2. Arizona (2,250 MW, or 18%)
3. Illinois (2,002 MW, or 16%)
4. Alabama (1,063 MW, or 8%)
5. Georgia (982 MW, or 8%)

Broken down by primary coal rank, bituminous coal (9,276 MW) saw the largest drop in capacity, followed by subbituminous coal (3,166 MW).

Map of the U.S. showing retirement locations of utility-scale coal generating units in 2019; circle size indicates capacity.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report and Form EIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report. 

Note: Data for 2019 are preliminary.

The increase in coal-unit retirements since 2010 has significantly reduced coal-unit capacity. During the past decade, U.S. total coal summer capacity dropped from 314,555 MW in 2010 to 226,786 MW in 2019, a 28% reduction in summer capacity. Annually, coal-unit capacity has declined by an average of 3.5%. About 89% of the change in coal-unit capacity between 2010 and 2019 (87,769 MW) can be attributed to coal-unit retirements (78,447 MW) occurring in 2011 through 2019. The remaining 11% reduction (9,322 MW) is from the net effect of the fuel switching of coal units to other fuels (primarily natural gas) (an 18,458 MW reduction). It is also a result of capacity additions from new coal units coming online (mostly in 2011 and 2012) (a 9,136 MW addition). The 2019 5.5% year-over-year decrease in coal capacity (239,962 MW to 226,783 MW) is, on a percentage basis, the third-largest this decade. The largest year-over-year declines of the decade were in 2015 at 6.2% and in 2018 at 6.0%.

Bar graph showing decreasing U.S. coal operating summer capacity from 2010-2019; the 2019 bar is gold.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report and Form EIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report. 
Note: Data for 2010 through 2018 are final; data for 2019 are preliminary. Megawatts represent summer capacity of generating units.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest inventory of electric generators, retirements of coal units are expected to continue into the 2020s. In the first half of the decade (2020–2024), 15,663 MW of coal capacity has reported plans to retire. Currently, 2020 has the highest total of planned retirements (6,102 MW), followed by 2022 (3,713 MW). Planned retirements are expected in all parts of the country. The states with the largest planned retirements are Michigan (2,606 MW), Ohio (1,500 MW), Kentucky (1,371 MW), North Carolina (960 MW) and Tennessee (870 MW). The plants with the largest planned capacity retirements are St. Clair in Michigan (1,065 MW in May 2022), Paradise in Kentucky (971 MW in January 2020), and Bull Run in Tennessee (870 MW in December 2023). Broken down by primary coal rank, subbituminous coal has the most planned retirements with 8,274 MW, followed by bituminous coal (7,122 MW), lignite (157 MW) and waste coal (110 MW).

Bar chart showing U.S. utility-scale coal planned retirements (megawatts) from 2020-2024, with values decreasing over time.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report and Form EIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report.

Note: All data are preliminary. Megawatts represent summer capacity of generating units.


Map of the US showing proposed retirements of coal-generating units, 2020-24. Circle size indicates capacity.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report and Form EIA-860M, Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report.

Note: All data are preliminary.

Principal Contributor: Alex Gorski  (Alexander.Gorski@eia.gov)

One Last Round: Why the Purple Tee Classic Matters to Me

By Russell Lacey • August 31, 2026
Every golfer has a round they remember. It might be a personal best, a long putt that somehow found the cup, or a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. For me, the most meaningful round has less to do with my score and more to do with the people gathered around the first tee. That round is the Purple Tee Classic. On Thursday, September 17, 2026 , Metro Bethesda Rotary will host the 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic at Whiskey Creek , with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. This will be my third year leading the tournament, and my final year in that leadership role. That makes this year especially meaningful to me. More Than a Golf Tournament The Purple Tee Classic is a day of golf, but it is really about much more than a day on the course. It brings together business owners, community members, Rotarians, friends, families, veterans, and first responders around a shared purpose. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders, people who have served, protected, and supported our communities in ways most of us will never fully understand. Golf gives us the setting. Service gives the day its meaning. That is what I value most about Rotary. The organization creates opportunities for people to put relationships, resources, and time to work for something larger than themselves. The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” is not just a phrase. It is something we are asked to live out by showing up, contributing, and following through. The Purple Tee Classic is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action. Why This Final Year Matters Leading a tournament like this takes more than setting a tee time and asking people to come out and play. It takes planning, coordination, communication, fundraising, and a team willing to handle the many details most participants will never see. That is one of the biggest things I want to say clearly this year: this event is absolutely a team effort. The Metro Bethesda Rotary members involved in this committee do a tremendous amount behind the scenes. They help plan, coordinate, communicate, recruit sponsors and players, and keep things moving in all the ways that make an event like this possible. A lot of that work is not flashy. It is steady, thoughtful, behind-the-scenes effort that helps turn a good idea into a real event that serves real people. I have been fortunate to work alongside fellow Rotary members who care deeply about Rotary’s mission and the causes the tournament supports. I am genuinely grateful for their time, commitment, and willingness to do the work that needs to get done. Events like this do not come together because of one person. They come together because a group of committed people keeps showing up and doing their part. It also takes the support of a broader community. Over the past three years, I have seen how a simple invitation, to play a round of golf or contribute an auction item, can become part of a much larger effort. As I prepare for my final year leading the Purple Tee, I am thinking less about the fact that my leadership role is ending and more about what I hope continues. I hope the tournament continues to bring people together. I hope new sponsors and players discover the value of supporting a community event with a clear purpose. And I hope every participant leaves Whiskey Creek remembering that the best part of the day was never just the golf. It was the difference we helped make by showing up. How You Can Help There are several ways to support this milestone event: Become a tournament sponsor. Help strengthen the event while putting your organization in front of an engaged local community. Register a foursome . Bring colleagues, friends, clients, or family members for a meaningful day on the course. Sponsor a veteran or first responder. Help someone enjoy a round of golf and participate in the Purple Tee experience. Donate an item or experience. Raffle and auction contributions add energy to the day and help expand the event’s fundraising potential. Every form of participation matters. Not everyone can sponsor at the same level, and not everyone plays golf. But everyone can consider whether they, or someone they know, might be able to help.  Key Takeaways The 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic will take place at Whiskey Creek on September 17, 2026. This is my third year leading the tournament and my final year in that leadership role. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders. Sponsors, foursomes, individual player support, and donated auction or raffle items are all important. Rotary has given me the opportunity to serve with people who care about their community and are willing to turn good intentions into action. I am grateful for that opportunity, grateful for the people I get to work alongside, and determined to make this final year leading the Purple Tee Classic a memorable one. If you would like to support the event, please visit purpletee.fundraiser.bid . You can also message me directly if you are interested or know someone who may want to help. One last round in this leadership role. One more opportunity to bring people together. And one more chance to support the veterans and first responders who deserve our gratitude.
Aerial view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor with buildings, boats, and a wide body of water reflecting the cityscape.

Energy Incentives Are Available, But Do You Know Where To Look?

By Andrew Sandglass • July 9, 2026
Your guide to Energy Incentives for Maryland is here

Why Everyone Is Talking About Utility Bill Audits (And You Should Too)

By Russell Lacey • June 24, 2026
For most business owners, the monthly utility bill is just another line item to be paid and filed away. You glance at the total, ensure it isn't astronomically higher than last month, and move on. But in 2026, with energy markets facing unprecedented volatility and complex new tariff structures, that "glance and pay" strategy is costing American businesses billions in overpayments. The good news? You don’t have to just accept these costs as the price of doing business. Everyone is talking about utility bill audits because they have transitioned from a "nice-to-have" occasional check to a critical financial strategy. At Electric Advisors, Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how a meticulous review of historical invoices can uncover significant refunds and permanent rate reductions.