A South Texas coal-fired power plant will receive more than $1 billion in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to convert into a solar and battery facility, according to the agency. The switch by San Miguel Electric Cooperative, located in Christine in Atascosa County, to a solar and battery plant will be funded by more than $1.4 billion of a $4.37 billion federal grant to support clean energy while maintaining rural jobs. With the co-op’s transition to a renewable energy plant, only 14 coal-fired power plants will be left in the state.
The transformation of the San Miguel Electric Cooperative into a solar and battery facility is a significant step towards reducing climate pollution and supporting rural jobs. The co-op’s CEO, Craig Courter, has expressed his pride in the co-op’s commitment to safety, environmental compliance, community service, and mined land reclamation. This transition will not only benefit the environment but also provide affordable and reliable power to rural Texans.
This announcement comes after a Texas Tribune investigation in 2019 revealed that state agencies allowed San Miguel Cooperative to contaminate acres with toxic chemicals, posing a threat to public health. The co-op’s transformation will not only reduce climate pollution by over 1.8 million tons yearly but also support as many as 600 jobs. This is a significant win for South Texas, as it will help address concerns about water contamination from the co-op’s lignite mine.
The co-op will need to establish a timeline for shutting down the coal plant, but this is a historic victory for South Texas. Other co-ops in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, and Nebraska have also received similar federal funding, showing a growing trend towards clean energy. This is a positive step towards a healthier environment and affordable, reliable energy for Texans.