Seth Feaster
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Articles by Seth Feaster
Trump, ABD’de Yeni Kömür Santralleri İstiyor
ABD’de son büyük kömür santralinin inşa edilmesinin üzerinden 13 yıl geçti. Trump yönetimi şimdi iki yeni kömür santrali daha kurmak istiyor ancak uzmanlar, federal destek olsa bile bunun fizibil olmayacağını söylüyor. Başkan Donald Trump ve yönetimi, veri merkezleri ve sanayi gibi büyük kullanıcılar tarafından tercih edilen kesintisiz elektriğin önemli bir kaynağı olduğunu savunarak kömür enerjisine verdikleri desteği gizlemiyor.
Opinion | Trump’s Coal Plan Is Doomed Original
Guest Essay Oct. 7, 2025, 5:01 a.m. ET Credit...Nathan Howard/Reuters Listen to this article · 6:36 min Learn more By Seth Feaster and Dennis Wamsted Mr. Feaster and Mr. Wamsted are analysts at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Opinion | Trump’s Coal Plan Is Doomed
Guest Essay Oct. 7, 2025 Credit...Nathan Howard/Reuters Listen to this article · 6:35 min Learn more By Seth Feaster and Dennis Wamsted Mr. Feaster and Mr. Wamsted are analysts at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. The two-unit Cumberland coal plant in northwestern Tennessee, owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority, is one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the United States, capable of supplying electricity to as many as 1.4 million homes when it is running.
Meeting demand growth and greening the grid can go hand in hand
By Dennis Wamsted and Seth Feaster | Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Rising electricity demand does not preclude a cleaner grid, and we should look no further than Texas for proof. In the past 10 years, electricity generation in Texas has risen 104.6 million MWh, climbing from 391.9 million MWh in 2013 to 496.5 million MWh in 2023. This increase far outpaced growth anywhere else in the United States.
Meeting demand growth and greening the grid can go hand in hand
By Dennis Wamsted and Seth Feaster | Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Rising electricity demand does not preclude a cleaner grid, and we should look no further than Texas for proof. In the past 10 years, electricity generation in Texas has risen 104.6 million MWh, climbing from 391.9 million MWh in 2013 to 496.5 million MWh in 2023. This increase far outpaced growth anywhere else in the United States.
As Pleasants is Mothballed, Red Flags For Coal Are Flying
As Pleasants is Mothballed, Red Flags For Coal Are Flying By Seth Feaster June 14, 2023 - In West Virginia, where the state has been trying to save the 1,300-megawatt (MW), 43-year-old Pleasants coal plant from the wrecking ball, the fate of the plant remains unresolved. Despite the recent announcement of a potential sale of the plant to Omnis Fuel Technologies for use as part of a graphite and hydrogen project, the plant has stopped operating and was placed in “mothballed” status on June 1.
Comment: Texas' early season heat wave in May exposed the myth of fossil fuel reliability
The event began May 3, when the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, warned that the state could see record-setting demand over the Mother’s Day weekend (May 7-8) due to extremely high temperatures, and that planned maintenance at a number of thermal generating facilities could cut into supplies. Fossil-fuel and nuclear plants usually schedule maintenance and refueling in the spring and fall when power demand is lower.
Wind and solar beat nuclear and coal in US for first time in April
April was a milestone month for utility-scale wind and solar generation in the U.S. For the first time, the two renewable resources generated more electricity than coal or nuclear power.
IEEFA U.S.: Surging energy prices accelerating pace of wind, solar and battery adoption
IEEFA outlook finds more than half of U.S. electricity supply to be carbon-free by end of 2026 April 4, 2022 (IEEFA)—Surging global energy prices are supercharging the already rapid pace of growth in solar, wind and battery storage projects, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis U.S. 2022 Power Sector Outlook. Last year, IEEFA predicted that wind, solar and hydro would account for almost 30 percent of the U.S. electric power market by the end of 2026.
IEEFA U.S.: Power sector gas consumption has likely hit its peak
Long-term decline will be driven by soaring renewable energy and battery installations The United States electricity sector has passed another milestone in the energy transition: The amount of gas used for power generation has likely peaked and begun a long-term decline. And because demand for electricity is not expected to grow much in the next few years, the fuel’s market share will decline as well. This shift is significant for the oil and gas industry.
IEEFA U.S.: Federal blue hydrogen incentives: No reliable past, present or future
Decades of carbon capture experiments with oil, gas and coal missed targets and sources of emissions February 8, 2022 (IEEFA U.S.) – An IEEFA analysis of new federal hydrogen program incentives challenges the track record, current rationale and market future for “blue” hydrogen produced from natural gas. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act propels the energy transition forward with proven technologies and promising innovations like renewable energy and storage technologies.
Surging U.S. renewables on track to take 30% market share by 2026
While the U.S. Congress debates whether backing the transition is a winning strategy, the energy sector is clearly showing the nation’s direction of travel. Dennis Wamsted and Seth Feaster at IEEFA look at the impressive growth of the clean energy champions, wind and solar. Since 2019, wind and utility-scale solar generation has risen by 76 TWh — a 31% increase — while coal and gas has fallen by 1.6%.
IEEFA: Despite higher coal prices, U.S. coal recovery looks weak by most measures
U.S. coal sector is locked into a long-term sectoral decline Coal prices have surged to the highest level in years in the U.S., and have soared in international markets. These high prices should significantly boost revenues and profits at coal mining companies—a remarkable turnaround from just a year ago, when the world’s pandemic-induced economic swoon sent export prices and demand tumbling.
IEEFA U.S.: Pension funds investing indirectly in Ohio’s Gavin coal plant are at risk as financial, environmental disadvantages mount
Declining demand for coal plants, credit agency downgrades and investor scrutiny create challenges for Lightstone investment prospects October 14, 2021 (IEEFA) — The major pension and retirement funds that own a piece of the General J.M. Gavin (Gavin) coal plant in Ohio face increasing challenges from their investment.
IEEFA U.S.: Surging generation from solar, wind on track to push renewable market share to 30 percent by 2026
Constant growth in renewable generation will push out costly coal and gas power Data for the first eight months of this year show that wind generation has risen more than 25 percent since 2019 (pushing its market share to almost 9 percent) while utility-scale solar generation has jumped 55 percent (pushing its market share to nearly 3 percent).
US planned coal fired retirements now total nearly 120GW of capacity
There is an inverse S-curve developing in the U.S. coal generation sector, with announced plant retirements expanding rapidly as utilities and independent power producers adjust to the influx of cleaner and cheaper wind, solar and battery storage resources disrupting the electric system.
IEEFA U.S.: Surge of coal-fired generation retirements looking like a reverse S-curve
Consumers Energy, TVA among utilities planning full exits from coal There is an inverse S-curve developing in the U.S. coal generation sector, with announced plant retirements expanding rapidly as utilities and independent power producers adjust to the influx of cleaner and cheaper wind, solar and battery storage resources disrupting the electric system.
IEEFA U.S.: The coal-to-renewables transition takes off
Pre-Biden changes underscore coming 10-year wave of coal plant retirements The traditional S-curve growth exhibited by disruptive technologies, often cited when game-changing consumer devices, such as smartphones, take over markets and rapidly push older products out, is just as valid to describe how wind turbines and solar PV generation are shaking up U.S. power markets.
Outlook USA: even with battery costs, Wind and Solar can undercut Coal and Gas by 2023-24
IEEFA has published its U.S. Power Sector Outlook 2021. Its authors, Dennis Wamsted, Seth Feaster and David Schlissel summarise and explain the projections. They say that coal and gas are set to become the biggest losers as renewable generation climbs quickly. The future for wind and solar – coupled with storage to address intermittency – is looking very good.
IEEFA U.S.: Energy transition to renewables likely to accelerate over next two to three years
Coal, gas set to become biggest losers as renewable generation climbs quickly March 31, 2021 (IEEFA) — The speed and scope of the energy transition to renewables will pick up pace over the next two to three years, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis’ U.S. Power Sector Outlook 2021.
IEEFA U.S.: Virginia coal plant’s future isn’t bright: preparation for transition should commence now
Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center (VCHEC), one of the newest in U.S., risks closure due to market forces December 16, 2020 (IEEFA)—Retiring the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center (VCHEC) will bring unnecessarily abrupt economic hardship to Wise County if state and local officials do not begin to plan now for a transition, concludes a report published today by the Institute for Energy Economic and Financial Analysis.
IEEFA update: Peabody Energy flirts with bankruptcy—again - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Bear market for coal, new financial pressures push world’s largest coal company towards default Just three-and-a-half years after emerging from its previous bankruptcy, Peabody Energy—the world’s largest private coal miner—admitted to investors on Monday that it could face yet another trip to bankruptcy court in the coming months. Coal bankruptcies in the United States have become increasingly common.
IEEFA U.S.: As utility company exits Four Corners Power Plant, NTEC seeks to keep it open - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Avangrid acquisition of PNM signals regional market shift to renewables; coal company in maneuver to stay in business, puts more Navajo Nation finances at risk In announcing its merger yesterday with renewable energy giant Avangrid, PNM Resources reaffirmed its commitment to end its use of coal, stating that it would continue with the abandonment of the San Juan Generating Station in 2022, and that it was actively working to sell its 13% stake in the Four Corners Power Plant.
Renewables Get an Early Start on Beating Coal Generation this Fall
Renewables Get an Early Start on Beating Coal Generation this Fall 07 Oct 2020 The market window for coal-fired electricity in the U.S. is closing faster than ever in a shift that is especially clear as autumn sets in. From July through Oct. 5, renewables (utility-scale solar, wind and hydropower) generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. on nine days—easily topping the total of five days recorded over the entire second half of 2019.
IEEFA U.S.: Renewables get an early start on beating coal generation - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Renewable generation has already topped coal on nine days this fall, compared with just five days across the last half of 2019 The market window for coal-fired electricity in the U.S. is closing faster than ever in a shift that is especially clear as autumn sets in. From July through Oct. 5, renewables (utility-scale solar, wind and hydropower) generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. on nine days—easily topping the total of five days recorded over the entire second half of 2019.
IEEFA U.S.: As oil and gas wane, Texas wind industry ascends - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Case study Nolan County: Strengthening jobs, economic development, tax base August 10, 2020 (IEEFA) — The wind industry in West Texas continues to create jobs, increase local tax revenues and drive economic development in an area known historically for its boom-and-bust oil cycles, concludes a report published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
Peabody’s massive write-down concedes coal mines have little value, and a dim future
Peabody Energy, the world’s largest privately owned coal company and the biggest U.S. coal producer, has finally acknowledged a long-apparent reality: Thermal coal mines in the U.S. have little value anymore and not much of a future. The company said as much this week when it slashed the book value of the largest coal mine in the country—the North Antelope Rochelle mine in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin—by $1.42 billion, or 22% of Peabody’s total asset value.
IEEFA U.S.: Follow the money, and repeal FirstEnergy’s Ohio bailout - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
FBI lays bare audacious $61 million web of racketeering - Gov. DeWine should call special legislative session A top state politician and four cronies are indicted for RICO violations FirstEnergy’s successful campaign last year to secure a $1 billion bailout of its Ohio nuclear plants is at the center of a pay-to-play scandal that is rocking Ohio.
IEEFA U.S.: Solar will push much of remaining Texas coal fleet offline - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Growth in utility-scale PV is rapidly changing ERCOT market July 14, 2020 (IEEFA) — New utility-scale solar is poised to push much of the remaining coal-fired power fleet across Texas into retirement in the next few years, finds a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
IEEFA report: Texas oil producers burned through $749.9 million flaring gas in 2018 - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Railroad Commission’s failure to curb flaring wastes oil and gas resources and sends revenue to oil and gas producers up in smoke June 11, 2020 (IEEFA U.S.) — Texas oil producers burned a record $749.9 million by flaring or venting unneeded natural gas into the air, according to a report released today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
IEEFA update: Renewables surpass coal in U.S. power generation throughout the month of April 2020 - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Utility-scale solar, wind, and hydro exceeded coal-generated power every single day May 4, 2020 (IEEFA U.S.) ‒ In a first for any month, renewables generated more electricity than coal on every day in April, new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows.This impressive stretch actually began on March 25, when utility-scale solar, wind and hydropower collectively produced more than coal-fired generation, and has continued for at least 40 straight days through May 3,...
IEEFA U.S.: Longview coal plant - one of America’s best and newest - has just gone bankrupt - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
The failure of a model project in West Virginia signals increasingly dire industry problems This week’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Longview Power offers a harsh glimpse into the increasingly dire state of the U.S. coal sector.
Utility-scale renewables top coal in U.S. electricity generation for entire Q1 2020
For the second month in a row, and only the third month ever, electricity generation from renewables in the U.S. topped coal-powered generation. The three main utility-scale renewable sources ‒ solar, wind and hydropower ‒ also produced enough power to beat out coal for the first time on a quarterly basis. A similar monthly milestone occurred in the second quarter of 2019, but that achievement included a broader set of renewable generation sources: biomass, geothermal and small-scale solar.
IEEFA U.S.: Utility-scale renewables top coal for the first quarter of 2020 - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Even in the age of Covid-19, rapid change is reshaping the electricity sector For the second month in a row, and only the third month ever, electricity generation from renewables in the U.S. topped coal-powered generation. The three main utility-scale renewable sources—solar, wind and hydropower—also produced enough power to beat out coal for the first time on a quarterly basis.
IEEFA report: Market trends are pushing U.S. coal closer to a reckoning - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Competition, financing, consolidation, muni/co-op trajectories, export markets March 30, 2020 (IEEFA U.S.) — A report published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) sees the U.S. coal industry continuing to decline through 2020 and beyond.
IEEFA report: The case for utility-company reinvestment in Arizona’s coalfield communities - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Statewide risk as fast-moving transition sweeps across power-generation industry March 2, 2020 (IEEFA) — Arizona utility companies that are closing coal-fired power plants must reinvest aggressively in regional coalfield communities in order to avoid local economic disarray that could affect the state’s overall financial health, concludes a report published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
IEEFA U.S.: The coal rebound that didn’t happen - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Industry continues to struggle against increasingly competitive market forces Some energy pundits have spoken in recent times of an impending U.S. coal renaissance. The Heritage Foundation trumpeted coal’s “Colossal Comeback” in 2017, and a Wall Street Journal reporter in 2018 wrote of its global “resilience.” Industry executives three years ago credited the newly-elected Trump administration with paving the way for fresh investments in new mines.
IEEFA update: Data shows U.S. shift away from coal-fired generation is intensifying - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Plants are retiring at a faster rate per month than last year as utilities switch to gas and build renewables New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that the shift away from coal-fired power generation has accelerated this year in the United States. In August, utilities generated 18 percent less power from coal than in August of last year, marking the sixth month in 2019 with a decline of more than 10 percent.
IEEFA report: Coal-fired power generation collapsing across Southeast U.S., longtime bastion of the industry - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Decade-long influx of cheap gas started regional transition; solar expected to finish it Oct.
IEEFA update: Business case weakens for Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) bid to purchase Montana-Wyoming coal mines - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Macroeconomic, regional and local risks in deal for bankrupt Cloud Peak assets September 5, 2019 (IEEFA U.S.) — Production is down this year and the customer base is shrinking at three mines that Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) proposes buying in a bankruptcy-court bid for Cloud Peak Energy, according to a research brief published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
IEEFA: Proposed Navajo acquisition of bankrupt U.S. coal company is an ill-timed gamble - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Plan to buy Cloud Peak’s mines in Montana and Wyoming comes as Powder River Basin producers face more hard times - NTEC could modernize with leadership change Aug. 22, 2019 (IEEFA) — A plan by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) to acquire Cloud Peak Energy’s coal mines in Montana and Wyoming is a high-risk gamble and poorly timed, concludes a report published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
IEEFA U.S.: Powder River Basin mines may reopen, but the bad news is far from over - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Downturn will likely continue as electricity generation transitions; state officials should accelerate preparedness The immediate future of two large coal mines in the Powder River Basin (PRB) may have become clearer last week, with a winning bid from Contura Energy in the bankruptcy auction of Blackjewel. The company has said it intends to reopen the mines, but if and when Contura will actually be able to achieve that goal—and for how long—remains an open question.
IEEFA U.S.: Spate of coal bankruptcies raises risks for utilities - may hasten more plant retirements - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Financial distress among mining companies could add momentum to electricity-generation transition The chaotic collapse of Blackjewel and the unexpected closure of its mines in both the Powder River Basin and Appalachia, as well as a spate of other recent coal-mining bankruptcies, should serve as a wake-up call for utilities dependent on coal-fired generation.
U.S. Coal: firms go bankrupt as share of generation halves over 10 years
In the U.S. coal’s market share for power generation has halved in 10 years to 24%, from close to 50% in 2008. That year a record 1,172m tons was produced. But a combination of the rapid drop in solar and wind costs, continued competition from cheap gas, and ageing coal plants (most were built between 1965 and 1985) means that steep decline is set to continue, say Seth Feaster and Karl Cates of IEEFA U.S..
IEEFA U.S.: Cloud Peak bankruptcy reflects the coal industry's slippery slope - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Transition is gaining momentum and driving market change In yet another sign of steep decline and restructuring across the coal sector, Cloud Peak Energy, the fourth-largest U.S. coal mining company in 2018, filed for bankruptcy on May 10. It is the second largest coal producer to do so in less than a year, following Westmoreland Coal, which was the 10th-largest U.S. coal producer in 2018 (now called Westmoreland Mining after emerging from bankruptcy in March).
IEEFA U.S.: The gathering solar wave - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
Once sleeping giant of a market is waking up Announcing last week that it would create the largest regulated utility-scale solar footprint in the world, Florida Power & Light signaled its intentions to nudge the Sunshine State away from its ironically dubious reputation as a renewable-energy laggard. The initiative will add 30 million solar panels, five times the state’s current solar capacity, easing its longtime dependence on gas- and coal-fired power.
IEEFA update: the US Energy Information Administration continues to miss the mark
The Energy Information Administration, the federal agency responsible for national energy data compilation and analysis, has been historically out of sync on its U.S. coal-industry projections and seems every bit as off the mark as ever these days. It’s as if the EIA can’t quit going rogue from reality.
Regulatory relief didn't help coal industry in 2017 and can’t save it in 2018
If you want to understand the future of the U.S. coal-mining industry, it’s best to start with the growing number of coal-fired electric generating plants that are closing — and then consider why this trend is gaining pace. Since generating plants come in many sizes, the best measure of them is by total amount of generating capacity in megawatts (MW) of all the plants closed.
IEEFA Update: Fallout for Peabody’s Wyoming Coal Holdings From Shutdown of Plant in Texas - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis
[Second of two parts] Luminant’s announcement that it will soon retire the Monticello Plant in Titus County, Texas, improves its bottom line by eliminating a liability from the company’s balance sheet. For Peabody Energy, which supplies that plant with Powder River Basin coal, the shutdown is not such good news. The Monticello plant gets its coal from Peabody’s Rawhide Mine in northeastern Wyoming.
IEEFA Update: Two Sets of Data Tell the Same Tale: U.S. Coal Industry Continues to Shed Jobs
In a research report we published in January, we explained how the U.S. coal industry will very likely continue its overall decline in a trend that will be accompanied by both employment and market volatility. A passage from that report (“Short-Term Gains Muted by Prevailing Weaknesses in Fundamentals”): “Some mine openings and some attendant hirings will be announced in 2017, and these announcements will likely be presented as evidence of a new stability in the U.S. coal industry.
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