Under a Trump administration emergency order, a Florida coal-fired power plant will continue operating.
The facility had been scheduled for retirement in 2025 as part of an Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) plan to transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. OUC is the second-largest municipal utility in the state, serving more than 288,000 customers in Orange and Osceola counties.
In a statement, OUC said that as a result of the order, the utility “will not be able to place Stanton Energy Center Unit 1 into extended cold shutdown at this time. Additionally, OUC will fully comply with the order while continuing to prioritize the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our customers and community.”
In his order, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited an energy emergency in Florida that he attributed to a shortage of facilities and expected demand associated with a burgeoning data center industry in the state. The order also noted a February cold snap that strained OUC’s resources and forecasts for an especially hot summer. The order took effect June 4 and remains in place through Sept. 1.
“As described above, the conditions resulting from the combination of increasing demand and shortage will continue on in the near term and are also likely to continue in subsequent years,” the order states. “This could lead to the loss of power to homes and local businesses in the areas affected by curtailments or power outages, presenting a risk to public health and safety.”
