Who would have ever thought that the once popular and powerful 12.3 GW plant, powering tons of facilities, would be abruptly shut down? The root cause, future plan, and rationale behind the irrefutable shutdown remain unclear to this day. Or do they? Could this directly be connected to the distant future plans for power generation in America? Read on to find out more

Examining America’s 12.3 GW infrastructure

The evident power plants that are being decommissioned are the ones that rely heavily on non-renewable energy sources. For the longest time, America, among many other nations, has fully relied on coal and fossil fuel deposits to satisfy its growing international and local demand. Even certain nuclear facilities are not spared in this recent move by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), confirmed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The rationale is quite simple and easy to understand. Zero carbon and fewer emissions in order to preserve our planet from a wide range of disasters.

The aim of the U.S. EIA, in collaboration with the DOE, is to replace these hazardous energy generation plants with renewable infrastructure that can perform the same function but quieter, cleaner, and more efficiently. 

The reliance on coal in America is eventually coming to a close. The heavy supply deficit that has plagued the United States and the world for a long time will now come to an end. This will come as a relief to a lot of corporations that are heavily dependent on it for energy extraction and generation. The soaring prices amidst inflation have turned it into one of the world’s most valuable resources, causing an increased strain on companies and individuals that depend on it for survival.

If humanity decides to keep playing it safe, innovation and creativity will phase out faster than a thawing cone of ice cream. This is why America has taken the first bold step in decoupling from coal. Some experts might determine that fossil fuels are the most reliable, but sometimes even experts can be wrong. Innovation can’t be stopped, only improved upon. 

Elements that led to the inevitable shutdown of the facility

Sure, 12.3 GW shutdown in America made by EIA sounds like a lot, but for nations to exist independently, strategic decisions have to be made. These decisions were facilitated by some elements. Some of these elements include:

Economic elements: This refers to the factors driving the demand and supply, compared to the running costs of utilizing them, and currently, it’s not very favorable. This is why the economic factor is also an element.

Regulatory elements: This refers to actions and policies made by the lawmakers and the senate to control or regulate the continued reliance on fossil fuels in America, but currently, the policy-makers are against the dependence; hence, the slow phase-out of fossil fuel dependence. 

Renewable energy alternatives seem to be the new wave of energy generation because of the immense benefits they have to offer. With the improved efficiency and zero noise or harm done to the environment, most nations around the world might also adopt the technology.

The new age of energy generation is upon us

It’s easier to become apocalyptic with all the shutdowns and rumors flying all around, not only in America, but a calmer and easier way to look at it is in the area of transformation and transmission. Adapting to the new reality might seem scary and unrealistic at first, but with the slow phase-out of these plants, the world will eventually come to agree on renewable energy.

The 12.3 GW shutdown is not the end of energy generation in America. It is a testament to the fact that measures are being taken to secure the future of energy generation. Continued reliance on fossil fuels is not sustainable in the long run, and one thing is certain: innovation, especially in engineering, cannot be stopped; something new continues to be discovered. 

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