Expert warns Kansas could face tighter electricity reserve margins as coal retirements outpace replacements

Randy Emminger, an industry representative who said he represents Wyoming and the National Mining Association, told the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications on Jan. 27 that coal-fired generation has declined across the Southwest Power Pool and Kansas, and that retirements are outpacing new dispatchable generation.

Emminger said the shift in the regional generation mix has raised reliability concerns. "I just wanna bring a little message about the importance of coal based generation," he told the committee, noting that planning authorities and federal agencies warn that capacity additions have not kept pace with retirements.

Emminger presented regional and state data showing a long-term decline in coal capacity. He said that a decade ago about 58% of Kansas's generating capacity was coal and roughly 22% wind; by 2023 he said wind accounted for roughly 47–51% of generation and coal about 28% of capacity (generating about 24% of electricity). He told…