TVA Reverses Course on Closing Coal Plants

Nation's largest public utility now wants to keep operating two coal-fired power plants in Tennessee.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the largest public utility in the U.S., has signaled its intention to keep operating two coal-fired power plants in Tennessee that it had previously planned to shutter. The utility cites increasing power demand, particularly from data centers, as the reason for the change in course.

Why it matters

TVA's decision to keep the coal plants running goes against its previous goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2035 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. This move has drawn criticism from clean energy advocates who argue the utility should be transitioning more quickly to renewable sources like solar.

The details

TVA had planned to close its remaining coal plants by 2035 to lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, the utility now says it wants to keep operating the Kingston Fossil Plant and Cumberland Fossil Plant due to regulatory changes and rising electricity demand, particularly from the rapid growth of data centers in its service region.

  • In 2024, TVA had planned for a 1,500-megawatt natural gas facility with 4 megawatts of solar and 100 megawatts of battery storage at the Kingston Fossil Plant.
  • The coal plant was slated to close and the gas plant to come online by the end of 2027.

The players

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

The nation's largest public utility, which serves roughly 10 million people in seven states.

Don Moul

TVA's president and chief executive, who told investors the utility would reevaluate the lifespan of its coal plants after President Trump signed executive orders aimed at helping the coal industry.

Gabi Lichtenstein

Tennessee Program Coordinator for Appalachian Voices, a clean energy advocacy group that criticized TVA's decision to keep the coal plants running.

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What they’re saying

“As power demand grows, TVA is looking at every option to bolster our generating fleet to continue providing affordable, reliable electricity to our 10 million customers, create jobs and help communities thrive.”

— Scott Brooks, TVA spokesperson (dnyuz.com)

“Without even a public meeting, TVA is telling the people who live near these coal plants that they will breathe in toxic pollution from not one, but two major power plants for the foreseeable future. This decision is salt in the wound after ignoring widespread calls for cleaner, cheaper replacements for the Kingston and Cumberland coal plants.”

— Gabi Lichtenstein, Tennessee Program Coordinator, Appalachian Voices (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

TVA's board is set to make a final decision on the fate of the coal plants in 2024.

The takeaway

TVA's reversal on closing the coal plants raises concerns about the utility's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to renewable energy sources, despite growing power demand from data centers and other industrial users.