2025 Reinhold/PCUG Conference Concludes that Break is Over for Coal!

by Gary Reinhold-President
Reinhold Environmental

"The break is over for coal in the U.S." was an overriding topic of discussion at the 2025 Reinhold Environmental/PCUG Conference hosted by AEP and Buckeye Power from June 23rd to 26th in Columbus, OH. Historic rapid retirements of coal-fired generation coupled with unprecedented rapid growth of demand due to data centers has created future predicted grid unreliability and the potential for a significant number of blackouts over the next decade! And the lead time to add new gas or nuclear generation will be 7 to 10 years.

Quite frankly this problem has nothing to do with politics. Regardless of whether the U.S. continued with rapid government subsidized growth of renewal energy strategies or whether "drill baby drill" and "beautiful clean coal" approaches were dictated, the short term lack of sufficient base loaded power connected to the grid is a newly recognized issue.

The only solution is to delay the closing of as many coal-fired generating units as possible and change operation of the coal-fired units from peakers to base-loaded. The consequence of this change in thinking means a renewed focus on previously deferred maintenance for these coal-fired units. But unfortunately, much of the tribal knowledge within the utilities, suppliers and consultants has vanished due to downsizing, early retirements and lack of incentive for younger personnel to become coal gurus. And even though future more stringent air and water regulations have been delayed, due to the lack of maintenance, coal-fired units may have difficulty meeting existing regulations at full load without significant investments.

Reinhold Environmental and the PCUG are committed to helping to fill the tribal knowledge gap through continued training and networking! Next June, 2026 we will host another coal-fired conference and user's group meeting in Nashville, TN to help accomplish this mission. Details of this upcoming conference are available on the center of this home page. Exhibitors have already reserved almost all of the 40 booths which will be available in the expo. Please make sure that you mark this important event on your calendar!