US 'falling out of love' with coal says ASU professor

In an AZCentral opinion piece, Mike Pasqualetti says Arizona can be a forerunner in the solar industry, but first, the state must decide on its coal-powered future.

Pasqualetti – a senior sustainability scientist in the Global Institute of Sustainability, a professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and a graduate faculty member in the School of Letters and Sciences – reflects on the current debate surrounding the Navajo Generating Station in Page, Ariz. and how the coal plant symbolizes a nation moving forward with cleaner energy. Both California and Nevada are selling their shares of Navajo Generating Station energy and transitioning towards sustainable sources.

"Coal is also losing momentum nationally," writes Pasqualetti. "It dropped from 50 percent in 2005 to 35 percent in 2012, driven by cheap natural gas. Fifty-two gigawatts (about 16 percent of the existing coal fleet) has been announced for retirement by 2025."

Some are still very determined to rely on coal and if Arizona is to make its decision, we must measure all outcomes on a level playing field.

“One thing is certain, however: If we are to continue using coal here, we will have to overcome two challenges," adds Pasqualetti. "The first challenge is to reduce air emissions. The second challenge is the competition from three alternatives: efficiency, renewables and natural gas."

Both renewables and natural gas have their upsides, so will Arizona make the leap?

Pasqualetti outlines some major arguments against clean energy, like job loss and increased energy costs.

“We have options,” he writes. “Arizona is uncommonly blessed with alternatives we can use to help wean ourselves from coal. These alternatives will include energy-efficiency without question, and even wind to some degree. Mostly, they include solar energy that will be the keystone in the bridge to the future.”