đź•’ Last updated on October 14, 2025
California is about to make history. Starting next month, the state will stop using coal as a source of electricity. This marks the end of a long journey to remove one of the dirtiest fuels from California’s power grid. For decades, coal powered homes, schools, and businesses across the state. But soon, that era will officially close.
Most of California’s coal power came from one source — the Intermountain Power Plant in Central Utah. For years, it sent electricity to California, providing the small amount of coal-based power still used in the state. Beginning next month, that connection will end, and California’s electricity will no longer come from burning coal. This will make California one of the first states in the U.S. to completely cut coal from its energy mix.
The move has been part of California’s clean energy goals for many years. By 2024, only about 2.2% of its electricity still came from coal, almost all of it from the Utah plant. Once that final supply is stopped, the state will rely fully on cleaner energy sources.
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From Coal to Cleaner Power
Coal once powered much of the United States. In 2007, nearly half of the nation’s electricity came from coal-fired plants. But that share has dropped sharply over the years. By 2023, coal made up only about 16% of the nation’s electricity. California’s transition has been even faster, driven by solar, wind, hydropower, and battery storage systems.
The Intermountain Power Plant is not closing down completely. It is being rebuilt and repowered to use natural gas and hydrogen instead of coal. Hydrogen is a cleaner fuel that can be produced using renewable energy. The new system will begin operations soon, making the plant one of the few in the world shifting from coal to hydrogen-based power.
California’s ability to move away from coal was made possible by big improvements in clean energy and power storage. In earlier years, renewable sources could not always provide steady electricity, which sometimes caused shortages. Now, with modern battery storage, extra solar and wind power can be saved during the day and used later when demand is high.
This has allowed California to reduce coal use without facing the power shortages that once affected the state. Improved energy management and updated infrastructure have helped keep electricity reliable even as fossil fuel use continues to drop.
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How This Change Impacts the State
Ending coal power will bring clear benefits to California’s environment and public health. Coal is one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide and air pollution. Phasing it out will reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality across the state.
California now gets most of its electricity from renewable sources, including large solar farms, coastal wind turbines, and hydropower facilities. These clean energy systems are supported by new battery networks that keep power available around the clock. The shift shows how renewable energy can meet the needs of millions of people without relying on coal.
The decision to stop receiving electricity from the Intermountain Power Plant marks a major step in California’s clean energy story. Utility companies have invested heavily in renewable technology and energy storage to make this transition possible. The state has proven that it can maintain a reliable power grid while removing coal from its system.
Next month, the final coal-generated electricity will stop flowing into California. This change will officially end decades of coal use and highlight how far the state has come in building a cleaner, more sustainable power network. It is a defining moment in California’s ongoing effort to protect the environment while keeping the lights on for everyone.