In the small community of Joseph City, Arizona, elderly resident Brantley Baird is a repository of local history. He eagerly shares anecdotes of his great-grandmother settling in Snowflake before Arizona achieved statehood, tales of riding to school on horseback, and his family’s deep-rooted involvement with the land and livestock, witnessing the ebb and flow of railroad systems and cattle empires.
The narrative of the region transitioned as coal-fired power plants were constructed through northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico, supplying electricity to far-off urban centers. Despite fulfilling roles in economic development and regional history, these plants are now caught in a debate over their contribution to climate change.
Near Baird’s attempt to memorialize frontier life with a local museum sits the Cholla Power Plant, once a hub of employment and tax revenue for Joseph City and nearby towns. Now, the plant’s towering emissions are no more, closed since March amid rising operational costs from strict environmental regulations. These regulations were part of broader efforts to curb coal-burning utilities’ impact on global warming.
Recently, President Donald Trump sought to redirect the trajectory of U.S. energy policy by promoting a return to “beautiful, clean coal,” urging the recommissioning of Cholla and postponing the shutdown of other coal plants. This initiative is part of his broader strategy for energy independence, encouraging the nation to develop domestic energy sources like coal. Trump envisions these domestic resources fueling technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence sectors.
While some residents like Baird see hope in Trump’s advocacy and its potential to revitalize the community, many remain cautious about the practical implications. The competition between political promises and economic realities leaves the future of these plants uncertain. A projection by the U.S. Energy Information Administration anticipates a 65% increase in coal plant retirements by 2025, reflecting an industry shift toward alternative power sources.
Utilities industry voices like Todd Snitchler, representing plant owners, acknowledge this shift. Many doubt that Trump’s executive orders could override the costly investments involved in transitioning to environmentally compliant energy production. The recent closure of facilities like the Navajo Generating Station, and others in proximity like the San Juan Generating Station, underscore the challenge.
Communities surrounding these plants, likewise, are confronting economic uncertainty, as towns like Joseph City rely heavily on these plants for jobs and revenue supporting local services. Transition plans are fraught with complexity, as options in economically challenged counties like Apache and Navajo remain limited. Utility officials inform regulators that reopening sites like Cholla would burden customers financially, with renewable energy being a preferred path. However, plans are underway to preserve plant infrastructure as potential sites for future types of power generation.
In places like St. Johns, where the Coronado Generating Station’s operations are also under reconsideration, plans lean toward converting coal infrastructure to accommodate natural gas. Meanwhile, in Springerville, community members resist proposals to replace former coal plants with renewable energy solutions such as wind farms. Critics argue that such options, prominent for their towering turbines, compromise local landscapes without matching the reliability of traditional coal power.
Local officials like Springerville Mayor Shelly Reidhead stress the importance of maintaining local energy facilities, associating them with both economic stability and regional identity. Discussions with Arizona politicians and utility executives highlight a possible synergy between emerging demands, such as those driven by AI, and the region’s traditional energy assets.
While some analysts view Trump’s stance as largely symbolic, they acknowledge the need for a balanced energy mix amid rising power demands. Scott Segal, an industry expert, reiterates that diverse energy sources remain essential for effective power market operations, favoring sources that prioritize reliability and affordability.
Just outside Joseph City, developments in solar and battery storage signal an ongoing energy transition. Panels rise on leased lands, including Baird’s expansive ranch. Despite concerns over environmental impacts like dust, this movement is part of the evolving energy landscape he’s witnessed throughout his lifetime. As Baird optimistically considers the future, he reflects on change as a constant element of life in the region, embracing the uncertainty of what lies ahead. “Hell, who knows?” he muses, “when it comes right down to it, we’ll just wait and see.”