Coal Communities Transition (CCT)
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Overview
The electric power industry is undergoing a significant transition driven by changes in technology, economics and customer demands. SRP is taking action to significantly reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining the ability to provide our customers and communities with a reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of water and power. To enable this transition, SRP plans to retire or convert its coal-fired power plants to natural gas in the coming years. SRP’s plan includes the following:
- APS, the owner of Four Corners Generating Station, is exploring the potential continued use of the site, potentially through 2038. SRP's latest resource plan forecasted exiting ownership of the plant by 2031.
- SRP will convert its coal-fired Springerville Generating Station Unit 4 to run on natural gas. The conversion is planned to be completed by December 2029.
- SRP announced it will convert the existing coal-fired boilers at Coronado Generating Station (CGS) to run on natural gas. SRP previously announced its intent to repurpose the CGS site and cease coal generation by the end of 2032. The natural gas conversion is planned for completion by late 2029.
- Throughout SRP's transition away from coal, SRP is supporting the impacted communities. SRP is working with local stakeholders to help these communities as they work toward developing sustainable and strategic economies.
With the announced transitions to natural gas of Coronado Generating Station and units 1, 2 and 4 at Springerville Generating Station, the Coal Communities Transition effort will continue to support the communities, including St. Johns, Springerville and Eagar, impacted by the changes to Apache County coal plants as they develop sustainable and strategic economies.
Did you Know?
Converting the coal fired Coronado Generating Station and Springerville Unit 4 to natural gas represents the lowest cost option to preserve the plants’ capacity, which is needed to meet growing energy demand while supporting SRP’s carbon reduction goals. SRP remains committed to supporting the communities impacted by these changes as they develop sustainable and strategic economies.
Long-duration energy storage pilot with Energy Dome
As part of this work and to explore emerging non-lithium energy storage technologies, SRP announced in June 2026 a long-duration energy storage (LDES) pilot project to be located at the CGS site.
The 19-megawatt system will use Energy Dome’s carbon dioxide-based (CO2) battery system
. The technology works by using power from the grid to compress and store CO2. Then, when power is needed, the CO2 is expanded through a turbine to generate energy to send back to the grid. The battery system will store enough energy to power up to 4,275 average-size homes for 10 hours and is expected to come online in 2029. It will be developed under a 20-year tolling agreement, with Energy Dome owning and operating the facility and SRP dispatching its output.
The project was selected through a request for proposals for LDES pilots issued by SRP in 2024. SRP and Energy Dome will work with the Electric Power Research Institute, an independent nonprofit energy research and development organization, to monitor performance data from the project. The information collected will help inform how SRP meets its 2035 Sustainability Goals.
Exploring future energy uses for the CGS site
For decades, St. Johns has been a coal power generation community. In January 2020, SRP made the announcement that CGS will decommission coal operations no later than 2032. In June 2025, SRP announced its plans to convert CGS to natural gas, with the transition expected to be completed by 2029. This marks a significant step in moving away from coal while maintaining reliable power generation. In addition to the natural gas conversion, SRP has also explored other long-term, clean and sustainable energy alternatives as part of its long-term vision for the site. SRP conducted a CGS Repurposing Study to analyze various energy generation technologies compatible with the site and SRP’s mission to sustainably provide cost-effective and reliable power. Results of the study are below.
Studies
CGS repurposing studies
Technology screenings are being conducted to identify low- to no-carbon generating resources for potential repurposing of the CGS site.
Kiewit Study
Kiewit was selected to conduct a study of low- to no-carbon generating resources that could be used to repurpose the CGS site. (Nuclear technologies were addressed in the GAIN Study.)
GAIN Study
GAIN (Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear), a Department of Energy initiative, conducted a study assessing the feasibility of repurposing the CGS site with advanced nuclear technology.
Additional studies
Estimating the impacts of reduced operations at, and the closures of, Springerville and Coronado Generating Stations
By Dr. Anthony Evans, Staff Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Seidman Research Institute & Dr. Dennis Hoffman, Director of the L. William Seidman Research Institute at the W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU.
Download study
Benefits of Expanding Broadband Infrastructure in Apache County
By Jim Rounds, President at Rounds Consulting Group, Inc.
Download studyCommunity resources
Utility Grant Funding Program
Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power Utility Grant Funding Program
Representatives of communities impacted by the utilities' current or planned transition away from coal-fired generating stations (impacted communities) expressed the need for assistance with the application process for federal, state and other grant funding opportunities, such as hiring grant writers or commissioning economic impact studies. Often, the impacted communities do not apply for grants due to a lack of expertise in or expenses related to preparing grant applications. In response to this need, the utilities developed the Utility Grant Funding Program to provide funding assistance to impacted communities. The total amount of funding available for distribution was $1M. Funds were awarded on a competitive basis to qualifying applicants seeking assistance in support of a qualifying grant application. Applications were evaluated quarterly by a committee consisting of representatives from the three utilities (APS, SRP, TEP). The final round of grants was awarded in December 2025.
Business development
SRP works with the Arizona Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network to provide professional development resources for communities impacted by the transition away from coal. Discover virtual and in-person workshops and training on a variety of topics.
Register now for Customer Service Essentials on Tuesday, December 9th.
In the news
- SRP Board of Directors Approves Converting Springerville Unit 4 to Natural Gas
- SRP Board Approves Converting Coal-fired Coronado Generating Station to Run on Natural Gas
- Arizona Utilities Provide Grants to Coal Plant Communities to Support Economic Development, Infrastructure and Planning Efforts
- SRP Issues RFP for Long Duration Energy Storage Projects
- ACA Broadband Grant Awards Press Release
- SRP to Launch Studies Aimed at Identifying Possible Low-Carbon Replacement Scenarios for Coronado Generating Station
- SRP Selects Operation Plan for Coronado Generating Station
Apache County Coal Communities Transition
Total funding secured to date: $12M
- The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded Apache County broadband carrier Commnet $9.7M for broadband network deployment.
- Broadband Carrier Commnet contributed $1.7M in broadband grant matching funds.
- TEP and SRP each contributed $300K in broadband grant matching funds.
- SRP contributed $50K in education grants to St. Johns and Round Valley high schools.
- SRP and TEP each contributed $15K for the town of Eagar’s new community park construction.
Partners
Contact us
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
