Coal power keeps getting more expensive—and that means higher electricity bills for Americans

Coal power is not only dirtier than renewables like wind and solar, but it's also becoming increasingly expensive. According to a new analysis by Energy Innovation, coal power was 28% more expensive in 2024 than it was in 2021, outpacing inflation. The economics of coal have been bad for some time, with 99% of existing coal plants in the US being more expensive to run than to replace with renewables. Despite this, President Trump has ordered coal plants set for retirement to keep operating past their planned shut-down dates. This decision ignores the economic fundamentals underpinning coal's decline and will likely lead to higher electricity bills for Americans. States that rely heavily on coal, like West Virginia and Kentucky, are already seeing faster increases in electricity rates. Coal is getting more expensive due to factors such as the increasing difficulty of accessing coal and the high maintenance costs of aging coal plants. The decision to keep operating coal plants that were set for retirement will likely add even more expenses. Renewables, on the other hand, have seen some price volatility with inflation, but it's clear that the coal fleet is getting significantly more expensive. Keeping old coal plants running is opposite to what the administration should be doing if their goal is to make energy cheaper and bring down inflation.