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Tennessee Valley Authority responds to President Trump's tweet over potential coal plant closings

The TVA has said it will make a decision on the future of two coal plants soon, saying it needs to maintain 'financial responsibility' with regards to new environmental regulations as other sources of energy production make headway.

The Tennessee Valley Authority responded to a tweet President Donald Trump made Monday over the potential closure of more coal plants they operate.

At the heart of the conversation: the Bull Run Fossil Plant in Anderson County and the Paradise Fossil Plant Unit #3 in Drakesboro, Kentucky.  The future of both are uncertain as the TVA continues to draw back on its existing coal plants and move ahead with other sources of energy production, including a new natural gas plant that began operation near Paradise in 2017. 

In recent years, the TVA has shut down more than 30 of its 59 coal-fired units, including two Paradise units in recent years.  

The TVA has progressively rolled out the changes over the years, saying they needed to adapt to future power demands as well as stricter environmental regulations. 

On Monday, President Donald Trump tweeted at the TVA, saying they should 'give serious consideration to all factors' before voting to close plants like Paradise Unit 3. 

The TVA responded back, saying that while coal is important part of their generation mix, they have to give consideration to 'all factors' as they make the decision soon.

The TVA had been asking for public input on the future of Paradise #3 and Bull Run, saying it needs to continually evaluate its fleet to ensure 'flexibility and financial responsibility.'

"The assessments are required under the National Environmental Policy Act and will be part of the information used to inform the TVA Board early next year before a decision is made whether to retire either of the units," the TVA said in a November release. 

The comment-gathering stage wrapped up in December and the TVA board is scheduled to meet at its quarterly meeting on Thursday morning in Chattanooga. 

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