Ripe for Retirement Update

The 2013 update to the 'Ripe for Retirement' report identifies that up to 329 coal-fired generators (58.7 GW) in 38 U.S. states are no longer economically competitive with existing natural gas plants, and up to 71 GW are uncompetitive with new wind power. These units, combined with those already retired or announced for retirement, represent more than one-third of the country's coal-generating capacity. The analysis suggests that a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and underutilized natural gas plants can replace this capacity, though the authors warn against overdependence on natural gas due to climate and economic risks.

• As of 2013, up to 329 coal-fired power generators across 38 states, totaling 58.7 GW of capacity, are considered 'ripe for retirement' because they are less economically competitive than typical existing natural gas plants.
• When compared specifically to new wind power facilities, the amount of uncompetitive coal-fired generating capacity increases to as much as 71 GW.
• The total volume of coal capacity identified as ripe for retirement, combined with 138 generators (18 GW) retired between 2011 and 2013 and 170 generators (35 GW) announced for retirement by December 2013, exceeds one-third of the total U.S. coal-generating capacity.
• The geographic concentration of uncompetitive coal plants varies by scenario: in the natural gas comparison (without carbon pricing), the Southeast and Midwest are most affected, with Michigan, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Indiana having the most capacity. In the wind power comparison (with tax credits), Texas, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma are the top states.
• The report argues that the generation from these coal units can be fully replaced by a mix of new renewable energy, energy efficiency savings, and existing underutilized natural gas plants, though it cautions that relying too heavily on natural gas poses climate and economic risks.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2013). Ripe for Retirement Update. https://www.ucs.org/resources/ripe-retirement-update

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Ripe for Retirement Update. 2013. https://www.ucs.org/resources/ripe-retirement-update.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Ripe for Retirement Update |date=10 December 2013 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/ripe-retirement-update |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2013ripe, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Ripe for Retirement Update}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2013}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/ripe-retirement-update}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }