There’s a historic transition underway in the US electricity sector, as coal power gives way to newer, cleaner technologies.
但是，这种转变究竟有多快、多剧烈，以及未来几年将会发生什么?
美国煤炭发电的比例从2008年的51%下降到2016年的31%，这是前所未有的变化. New UCS analysis finds that, of the coal units that remain, roughly one in four plans to retire or convert to natural gas; another 17 percent are uneconomic and could face retirement soon.
The closure of a coal plant raises complex issues. While hugely beneficial to public health, 关闭工厂也引发了对周边社区就业和当地税基的担忧. 我们的 community snapshots 记录这些和其他挑战，强调公平和深思熟虑的过渡的必要性.
然后对. 现在
Between 2008 and 2016, 17 percent of US coal capacity retired. Another 4 percent converted to other fuels, mostly natural gas.
These closures led to:
- 80 percent less sulfur dioxide, a source of acid rain,
- 64 percent less nitrogen oxide, a key component in smog,
- 34 percent less carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas.
Unfortunately, 在此期间，天然气发电的增加在一定程度上破坏了减排, particularly carbon dioxide.
居住在运营中的燃煤电厂附近(3英里范围内)的人数直线下降, from around 8.5 million in 2008 to 3.3 million in 2016.
市场力量一直是这一转变背后的主要推动力，尤其是廉价的天然气. The falling cost of renewable energy has also played a role: recent cost comparisons 显示新的风能和太阳能现在比新的化石燃料发电厂更便宜，即使没有补贴.
Looking ahead
The transition away from coal will almost certainly continue. 公用事业公司已经计划淘汰全国13%的煤炭发电能力. 另外5%将退役或转换为天然气.
Beyond those already slated for retirement or conversion, a further 20 percent 2016年，与现有的天然气相比，煤炭发电能力不经济. 这相当于2016年底运行的煤炭机组的17%.
我们在南方清洁能源联盟的同事们认为 wind and solar 对于东南部那些不经济的燃煤电厂来说，是一个可行的替代方案吗.
我们的分析还发现，有相当数量的单位处于竞争性和非竞争性之间. 即使它们的成本稍有增加，或者与之竞争的技术成本稍有下降，都可能使它们变得不经济.
On the ground
What happens when a coal plant closes? The answer, invariably, is “it depends.” 我们的 case studies, available above and in fullscreen, 说明社区从煤炭转型时出现的不同困难和机遇.
- A retired coal plant 在兰辛, 密歇根, 多年来一直空置，直到一家保险公司将其改建为获得leed认证的总部
- A notoriously dirty plant in Chicago retired after years of community activism, only to reveal new and ongoing pollution concerns
- 监管机构、行业和相关公民的不同观点在 North Carolina's uneconomic Roxboro plant
- One group in rural West Virginia 是否在帮助年轻人和前煤矿工人发展和应用他们的农业技能, 建设, and even solar energy.
As more coal plants close, 投资于这些和其他受影响社区的重要性只会越来越大. 政策制定者应优先考虑经济发展和就业转移援助, 此外还有可再生能源和能源效率方面的其他投资.
有617888九五至尊娱乐? 播客
Dr. Jeremy Richardson, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, discusses the report, 在他的家乡西弗吉尼亚州，他与一些创新者谈论了他们是如何从煤炭转型的, 并传递了环境正义倡导者为改善社区公共卫生而奋斗的经验.
Related resources
Earth Day Two Ways
State Electric Vehicle Benefits
Feet To The Fire
