Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly visited the Magnolia Power Generating Station in Plaquemine and said the plant arrives at the perfect time. He noted that electricity demand keeps rising across the country and that Louisiana feels that pressure as new data centers and major industries come online.
Danly toured the site and called the station “a high-efficiency, reliable source of power.” The plant produces 700 megawatts of natural-gas-fired electricity, and it ran at full strength during the visit. He said that steady output shows why the country needs more dispatchable power right now.
He warned that the U.S. must keep building a generation that works in every season. He said past energy plans leaned too much on wind and solar. Those sources drop off during extreme heat or cold, and they need expensive backup systems. Danley pointed to New England’s recent winter storm as proof. Natural gas, oil, and nuclear kept the grid stable while wind and solar delivered only a small share.
Danley said the Department of Energy is now focused on “common-sense planning.” That includes natural gas, nuclear, and other round-the-clock sources. He said solar can help with fuel savings, but only in small amounts. He stressed that utilities must design systems that meet peak demand, not ideal-weather days.
He also praised Louisiana’s major role in America’s energy position. The state drives natural gas production and leads the nation in LNG exports. Danly said global demand for U.S. LNG keeps increasing and that export capacity will grow again within a few years.
Before leaving Plaquemine, Danly enjoyed a local lunch and laughed that Louisiana food can slow anyone down in the afternoon.