Utility eyes gradual closure of Wyoming coal-fired units

PacifiCorp officials say there would be potential savings for electricity customers by closing down two Wyoming coal-fired power plants in phases.

The Rock Springs Rocket-Miner reported Monday that the utility is working out a potential timeline for gradually shutting down two coal-fired units at the Jim Bridger plant outside Rock Springs and two units at the Naughton plant outside Kemmerer.

The utility in April said it was considering retiring all units by 2022.

PacifiCorp’s vice president of resource planning and acquisition, Rick Link, says that plan would be too fast, expensive and risky.

The utility is now eyeing closing the Jim Bridger units in 2022 and 2028 or 2028 and 2032. The Naughton Plant units would run until 2025.