Northeast Arkansas Coal-Fired Power Plant Shelved

LS Power of New York and The Arkansas Sierra Club say that plans for a coal-fired power plant in northeast Arkansas and a similar plant in Georgia have been shelved.

The Sierra Club announced the news earlier Monday (Dec. 12). The environmental group said its “Beyond Coal” campaign had led to the cancellation of both plants.

“Pursuant to a legal agreement with Sierra Club, New Jersey-based LS Power announced that it will cancel plans to build the Plum Point II project proposed for northeastern Arkansas and the Longleaf Energy Station project proposed for Blakely, Georgia,” said a Sierra Club press release.

“Today is a victory for the public health and environmental health here in Arkansas,” said Glen Hooks, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. “Canceling Plum Point II will keep almost 4 million tons of carbon dioxide out of our air each year, along with dozens of other hazardous air pollutants. Keeping more dirty coal out of Arkansas is a huge step forward for our state.”