Newton Power Plant to Close by 2027

Vistra Energy Tuesday announced plans to retire all of the coal plants owned by its subsidiaries in Illinois and Ohio, including the Newton power plant.

In Illinois, the retirements will include the Baldwin and Joppa power plants by the end of 2025, and the Kincaid and Newton plants by 2027.

The Edwards coal-fired power plant is already slated to retire by the end of 2022.

The utility added that these retirements may be sooner than the announced dates should economic or other conditions dictate.

Vistra announced plans for new solar and storage developments, primarily in Texas. In the meantime, Jasper County's Economic Development Director Amber Volk said the utility hopes to convert the Newton plant to generate solar energy and battery-storage power, otherwise the plant could close sooner than the announced 2027 date.

Employment at the plant is down to fewer than 40 people.