WXVU MAINLINE NEWS MINUTE FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 10
Written by Gabriella Raful on April 11, 2023
By: Gabriella Raful
The Keystone State’s largest coal-burning power plant is set to begin decommissioning on July 1st. The Homer City Generating Station is about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh. Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter Director Thomas Schuster says the plant has experienced some financial issues, and hasn’t operated above 50-percent of its capacity since 2015. Last year, it was less than 20-percent of capacity. Schuster notes the shutdown process is already resulting in cleaner air, but plant workers’ employment can’t help but be affected.
:10 “It’s going to result in job losses and some economic hardship for the local area due to loss of local tax revenue, and things like that.”
He sees the upcoming shutdown as the latest example of a long and inevitable decline of coal as an energy source. One recent study by Energy Innovation compared the economics of coal to wind and solar, and found in every case but one, it’s more expensive to operate coal plants than to build new wind or solar facilities nearby.
In other news, spring has sprung at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square and a display of tulip blooms is peaking today now through next week. Visitors can see 200,000 blooms from tulips and other bulbs along Longwood’s Flower Garden Walk, and explore colorful beds of tulips and spring annuals in the Idea Garden. Gardens are open Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. Timed admission tickets are required and reservations for members are required from Thursday to Sunday through May 7.
