Horizon Climate Initiative’s
recent news and events.
Our Perspective
Uneconomic Dispatch and VA HB 1360.
Horizon Climate Initiative is working to stop this practice in Virginia, including most recently partnering to get VA HB 1360 signed in June of 2026, requiring regulators to enforce existing rules protecting consumers and requiring lowest-cost power.
You can see Governor Spanberger’s signing here.
Recent News
A special episode of the Volts podcast.
Our Executive Director Frank Rambo talked with David Roberts on a special episode of the Volts podcast about why uneconomic dispatch happens, what we can do to stop this malpractice even in the face of recent federal government actions, and why putting an end to uneconomic coal power is a key to encouraging the development of clean energy.
Recent News
Reuters: Trump calls wind, solar bad for power grid. Texas shows otherwise.
In comments to Reuters on the Department of Energy's July 7th Reliability report, Executive Director Frank W. Rambo noted that high-handed assertions of federal government authority that ignore markets forces and seek to undo state and regional decisions to retire aging fossil plants only complicates the already challenging job of managing the grid. The simplistic energy policy rhetoric of the Trump Administration is at odds with reality, as can be easily seen when looking at markets like Texas and the Mid-Atlantic.
Our Perspective
Protecting Electricity Customers from Costly Fossil Fuels Today
Horizon Climate Initiative works to end the manipulative practice of uneconomic dispatch—electric utilities needlessly providing more expensive power and sticking their customers with the bill. You can hear from some of our amazing partners about why this practice occurs, and how we can stop it—with Logan Burke from Alliance for Affordable Energy, Joe Daniel from RMI, and Jill Tauber from Earth Justice—in their own words in this short video.
Events
Jumping the Line: A Discussion of Fossil Power and Energy Market Manipulation.
Many thanks to our expert moderator and panelists and to the engaged audience for HCI's inaugural #NYCclimateWeek event. The event framed HCI’s work in the climate movement by bringing hidden barriers out into the open, building awareness of the need for regulatory scrutiny and utility reforms, and ultimately centering costs and consumer advocacy in the clean energy transition and ending uneconomic fossil fuel-fired power plant operations.
More News Coverage
In Coal-Powered West Virginia, Sky-High Energy Costs Strain Residents.
Nessel challenges order to keep J.H. Campbell Plant open as energy experts predict price hikes
Coal and Gas Plants Were Closing. Then Trump Ordered Them to Keep Running.
Indiana’s dependence on coal is costing ratepayers millions and holding back clean energy growth.
Electricity From Coal Is Pricey: Should Consumers Have To Pay?
Trump is shockingly dumb about (electric) power.
US Department of Energy Grid Reliability Report Is Unreliable, Virginia Renewable Advocates Say
Decoding Coal Dispatch with RMI.
Coal power plants cost Americans millions when they didn’t have to, study says.
Activists, officials call for closure of Ottawa County coal plant as utility looks to recover costs
The Trump admin ordered a coal power plant to stay on past retirement. Customers in 15 states will foot the bill.
The U.S. coal industry is dying. Trump threw it a lifeline.
Uneconomic Coal Costs MISO Ratepayers $1 Billion and Curtails 400 MW of Wind.
Coal was on its way out. But surging electricity demand is keeping it alive — costing customers and the planet.
