2026-04639NoticeWallet

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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Key Dates

Published Date
3/10/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Energy Department
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