Co-op Power Plant Gets Coal Green Light from DOE
Published Date: 3/10/2026
Notice
Summary
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative told the Department of Energy that their new Lowman Energy Center powerplant can use coal if needed, even though it mainly plans to use other fuels. This self-certification follows a law that says new big powerplants must be able to burn coal or another fuel. This notice makes it official and keeps everything on track for future energy options without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New baseload plants must have coal capability
If you build or operate a new baseload electric powerplant, the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act (42 U.S.C. 8311(a)) requires the plant to have the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source. Owners proposing to use natural gas or petroleum must certify to the Secretary of Energy prior to construction or prior to operation as a baseload plant under section 201(d) and DOE regulation 10 CFR 501.61.
PowerSouth filed Lowman coal-capability certification
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative filed a coal capability self-certification on April 21, 2022 for the Lowman Energy Center, a 688-megawatt plant at 4932 Carson Road, Leroy, AL 36548 that will use natural gas; the plant's in-service date is March 2023. That self-certification establishes compliance with FUA section 201(a) as of the date it was filed with the Secretary of Energy.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04638 — Certification Notice-261; Notice of Filing of Self-Certification of Coal Capability Under the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act
Long Ridge Energy Generation LLC told the Department of Energy that their new powerplant, which runs on natural gas, can also use coal if needed. This is required by law to make sure new powerplants can switch fuels if necessary. The notice lets everyone know this certification was filed, keeping things transparent and on schedule.
Next: 2026-04640 — Certification Notice-263; Notice of Filing of Self-Certification of Coal Capability Under the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act
Rayburn Energy Station, the new owner of a big power plant once called Panda Sherman, told the government it can still use coal if needed. This update keeps them following the rules that say big power plants must be ready to use coal or another fuel. No changes in money or timing were announced, but this keeps the plant’s options open for the future.