EPA Proposes to Save Vital Coal Plant in Wyoming and Continue Production of Reliable Energy

June 4, 2026

WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to revise an Obama-era 2014 Wyoming regional haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) that would have forced the closure of the Dave Johnston Unit 3 power plant in Converse County, Wyoming. The Dave Johnston power plant uses local Wyoming coal, supports hundreds of Wyoming mining and energy jobs and is essential to delivering reliable, affordable energy to families across the state. EPA's proposal is another example of how the agency can both ensure the continuation of reliable and affordable baseload power and fulfill regional haze requirements to improve visibility in the nation's national parks.

Today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, joined President Trump, U.S. Secretary of Interior (DOI) Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of Energy (DOE) Chris Wright, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), and other elected officials in the Oval Office for an announcement on Beautiful, Clean Coal.

"The Obama Administration had one goal, to kill coal and lecture coal miners that their only option was to learn to code. The Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant provides hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, and ensures families have affordable power they can rely on. It would be detrimental to close it," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "If finalized, EPA's proposal would save the plant, maintain regional haze requirements, and ensure Wyoming's economy can boom."

"The Trump Administration recognizes that Wyoming has long proven that environmental stewardship and energy production can go hand in hand. This proposal reflects a science-driven, sensible approach that relies on real-world data and measurable outcomes rather than predetermined anti-fossil fuel agendas," said Wyoming Governor Gordon. "Keeping Dave Johnston Unit 3 available helps preserve reliable baseload power as electricity demand continues to grow, while supporting essential skilled Wyoming workers and communities that have powered America for generations."

"I applaud President Trump for restoring commonsense at the Environmental Protection Agency. The Dave Johnston Power Plant runs on Wyoming coal - the cleanest coal in the world. Today's announcement reverses years of harmful regulations," said Senate Majority Whip Barrasso. "It will ensure this vital Wyoming power plant can keep its doors open and the lights on for families across the Rocky Mountain West. Wyoming's energy workers and our coal communities now have the certainty they need to do what they do best - power the country."

"The Trump EPA is correcting a major Obama-era mistake. Shutting down Dave Johnston Unit 3 was never required to meet their clean air standards and the EPA's own scientific analysis now confirms it. The Biden Administration knew this information and let the closure deadline loom anyway in order to pacify their radical environmentalist base," said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). "Keeping Unit 3 open means more jobs, more use of local Wyoming coal, more affordable power for families, and a stronger Wyoming economy. I'll fight to see this finalized."

"The Democrat's decades long war on coal is coming to an end thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Congress. Through landmark legislation such as the OBBBA and bold executive action, America is once again free to produce affordable and reliable energy from our abundant coal reserves, including those found in Wyoming. This is a return to common sense that benefits not only our state, but all Americans, and today's announcement by the EPA to save the Dave Johnston Unit 3 coal plant is another win," said Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY-AL). "As we enter the power intensive summer months, and with our nation's energy needs ever increasing, we need more Wyoming generated power, not less. This decision by the EPA responds to the needs of our citizens, a stark contrast to the energy poverty politics the previous administration attempted to implement at the behest of radical environmental groups and international climate lunacy."

PacificCorp withdrew its consent for the closure of Dave Johnston Unit 3 on March 4, 2026, citing projected increased electricity demand. The unit would have been forced to close by December 31, 2027, under the Obama EPA's FIP. The Trump EPA's proposal, if finalized, removes the closure provision and adjusts the emission limits of the Obama-era FIP for the power plant. Under the proposal, Dave Johnston Unit 3 would be required to meet the emission limits it is currently operating under, instead of the unattainable Obama-era limits which would have forced its closure. EPA doesn't expect emissions to rise under this proposal.

EPA is committed to working with Wyoming to identify next steps that will both support reliable energy and meet all regional haze requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The agency will hold a 45-day public comment period on the proposal.

Background

The CAA requires each state to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to meet various air quality requirements, including protection of visibility. Regional haze SIPs must assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in Class I areas. A state must submit applicable SIP revisions to EPA for approval. If a state elects not to make a required SIP submittal, fails to make a required SIP submittal, or if the EPA finds that a state's required submittal is incomplete or not approvable, the EPA must promulgate a FIP.

On January 30, 2014, the Obama EPA disapproved Wyoming's regional haze SIP and promulgated unattainable emissions and compliance requirements for PacifiCorp's Dave Johnston Unit 3 and ultimately the plants closure by December 31, 2027.