A Matter of Degrees

August 30, 2021 · 41:32

The ‘Win, Win Win’ Strategy to Retire Coal

Image credit: William Alden via Flickr

Coal-fired power plants are closing at record rates. But many are still scheduled to remain operational for the foreseeable future -- despite losing lots of money every year.

How do we shut these uneconomic coal plants down faster? One answer: coal debt securitization.

Coal debt securitization is like refinancing a mortgage. States across the country are considering policies that would make it easier for owners of coal-fired power plants to restructure their debt.

In this episode, A Matter Of Degrees Host Leah Stokes and How To Save A Planet Host Alex Blumberg team up to explore how securitization would work -- and why utilities are getting behind it.

This episode features Ashok Gupta, a Senior Energy economist for the Natural Resources Defense Council and Jason Klindt, the Senior Director Of Government Affairs for Evergy.

This episode is a collaboration between *A Matter Of Degrees* and the Gimlet podcast *How To Save A Planet.*

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A Matter of Degrees is a production of Post Script Audio. For more episodes, visit our website.

Guests

  • Ashok GuptaSenior Energy Fconomist for the Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Jason KlindtSenior Director Of Government Affairs for Evergy