AEP Investor Presentation Shows Cut Back On Coal In Next Decade

This story has been updated to clarify where and how much AEP is cutting back on coal.

American Electric Power, the parent company of Appalachian Power, will shut down half its coal fleet by 2028.

According to an AEP investor presentation last month, 19 percent of the company’s electricity will come from coal by 2032.

That’s down from 41 percent this year and down from 70 percent in 2005.

By 2032, according to the presentation, only three coal plants will be left in Appalachian Power’s portfolio: John Amos, Mountaineer and Mitchell, all in West Virginia.

Two more AEP coal plants will continue to operate in Arkansas.

The company aims to achieve an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, reaching net zero emissions by 2045.

AEP identifies carbon offsets and technology, such as carbon capture and storage, to achieve further emissions reductions.

Virtually all of the retired coal generation will be replaced with renewables.

Appalachian Power is an underwriter of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.