Due to assessments that there is a risk of power outages in the region, the US government has ordered a coal power plant in Washington State to continue operating beyond its scheduled decommissioning date. The US Department of Energy's order requires TransAlta to keep its last unit at Central Leah's power plant running even after it is scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of this year. The Trump administration has used emergency powers several times to keep the coal power plant and two other fossil-fuel power plants running after the scheduled decommissioning period. This move has sparked criticism from environmental groups.

Due to assessments that there is a risk of power outages in the region, the US government has ordered a coal power plant in Washington State to continue operating beyond its scheduled decommissioning date. The US Department of Energy's order requires TransAlta to keep its last unit at Central Leah's power plant running even after it is scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of this year. The Trump administration has used emergency powers several times to keep the coal power plant and two other fossil-fuel power plants running after the scheduled decommissioning period. This move has sparked criticism from environmental groups.