The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today (Feb 11) announced $175 million in funding for six projects to modernize, retrofit, and extend the useful life of coal-fired power plants that serve rural and remote communities across the United States, keeping dependable energy sources online, strengthening grid reliability, and helping keep electricity costs low for American families and businesses.

The projects are part of the Department's $525 million effort to expand and reinvigorate America's coal fleet through targeted upgrades that increase efficiency, extend plant life, and add dependable capacity using infrastructure that is already built and connected to the grid. Modernizing existing plants provides one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver reliable power while preserving high-wage energy jobs, particularly across Appalachian communities that have long powered the nation.

"For years, previous administrations targeted America's coal industry and the workers who power our country, forcing the premature closure of reliable plants, and driving up electricity costs," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common-sense energy policy. These investments will keep America's coal plants operating, keep costs low for Americans, and ensure we have the reliable power needed to keep the lights on and power our future."

These actions advance President Trump's Executive Orders Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid to restore common-sense energy policies that prioritize dependable power, affordability, and American workers.

As electricity demand continues to grow, dependable, around-the-clock generation remains essential to maintaining a reliable and affordable power system. By upgrading existing coal facilities, DOE is strengthening the backbone of America's power grid and ensuring communities have access to secure, reliable energy when they need it most.

Selected projects include the following:

• Appalachian Power Company (Letart and Winfield, West Virginia) will upgrade two coal-fired plants in West Virginia: the Mountaineer Power Plant in Letart and the John E. Amos Power Plant in Winfield.
• Buckeye Power Inc. (Brilliant, Ohio) will perform a comprehensive suite of upgrades targeting critical systems at its Cardinal Plant coal-fired Units 1 and 2.
• Duke Energy Carolinas LLC (Sauratown Township, North Carolina) will upgrade two coal-fired units at the Belews Creek Steam Station.
• Kentucky Utilities Corporation (Ghent, Kentucky) will increase the annual capacity factor of Unit 2 of the coal-fired Ghent Generating Station.
• Monongahela Power Company (Maidsville, West Virginia) will upgrade the Fort Martin Power Station, which consists of two coal-fired generating units.
• Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (Cheshire, Ohio) will upgrade all five coal-fired generating units at the Kyger Creek Station. 

View a detailed list of the selected projects. DOE plans to make additional selections under the Broad Agency Announcement's remaining Topic Area at a later date.