San Antonio Closing Its Coal Plant

Still have a more to do (5.00 / 1)

Last week's announcement was a great event for San Antonio but we still have a lot to do. What I think was more significant is the investment these companies made in UTSA's new energy programs to help foster further research and hopefully help create a new energy economy in the city.

What's even more funny is this Austin vs. San Antonio mentality that seems to be developing. SAT is only at this junction because of a very forwarding thinking mayor and the same attitude in the mayor prior. We've been blessed with two good mayors and a business community that see the value of this new energy economy.

More to come.

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by: RBearSAT @ Sun Jun 26, 2011 at 11:24:33 AM UTC

It's a long term phase in, makes sense (3.00 / 1)

Personally, I'm one of those weirdos who thinks by 2020, we're all going to be running off solar simply because of the cost/efficiency trends in pv and alternative solar systems. This is one area where technology is changing so quickly, it may make more sense to wait on any large investments and to look at adding incremental production annually to cost average into a declining investment. The smartest move would be to sit on your hands and wait, but CPS can't do that so they need to be looking at an slower phased in approach that gears more heavily toward solar and wind. BIG wind.

I would be loathe to increase reliance on NG production right now as the producing cartel has an enormous amount of leeway with regard to pricing the commodity. Might be better to modernize emissions control at the coal plant and expand.

By 2020 the landscape is going to look far different than it does now. CPS and AE are both moving in the right direction in a very smart way.

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by: McBlogger @ Sun Jun 26, 2011 at 16:28:57 PM UTC

You bring up a great point (0.00 / 0)

CPS's approach seems to make sense by slowing down consumption (LED street lights, smart grids), focusing on new solar expansions (Sun Edison), and investing in the cleanest coal generation they can find. All the while, working to mothball their worst plant as soon as possible.

What you also bring up that I like is the proximity of two of the greenest and cleanest utilities in TX, right down the road from each other. Seeing AE and CPS partnerships in the future would be great. Maybe there are opportunities there we haven't seen yet.

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by: RBearSAT @ Sun Jun 26, 2011 at 17:40:29 PM UTC

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