JEA, the municipal utility for Jacksonville, Florida, has approved plans to build a 675-megawatt combined cycle natural gas plant to replace Northside Unit 3, which is scheduled to retire in 2031. Consumer and environmental advocates say the plant could stick Jacksonville residents with increased rates and a reliance on natural gas for decades. The project is estimated to cost $1.57 billion, a significant increase from an earlier estimate of $553 million in 2019.

The JEA Board, led by Joseph DiSalvo, said the plant is necessary to ensure reliable electricity for the city's residents. The utility cited benefits including operational control, long-term cost efficiency, and the creation of local jobs. The new plant will be located at the site of the former St. Johns River Power Park, a retired coal facility.

Environmental and consumer groups have expressed concerns about the investment. Suzanne Sapp from the Sierra Club noted that the decision could lock the city into decades of fossil fuel reliance and higher electricity costs, while cities nationwide increasingly adopt solar and storage solutions. Lisa Rinaman of St. Johns Riverkeeper highlighted potential environmental risks, emphasizing that coal plants in the area remain operational.

Critics also point out that alternative strategies, such as purchasing power from other utilities, were considered but ultimately rejected. JEA maintains that owning the plant offers the most control and lowest long-term costs per megawatt-hour.

The project underscores the ongoing debate between maintaining energy reliability and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Source: utilitydive.com