Generation Strategy

The U.S. electric utility industry is in the middle of a sea change. And because of this, JEA’s generation strategy is changing, too. The Environmental Protection Agency is likely to finalize new rules on carbon emissions by June 2015. Then, it must approve each individual state implementation plan by 2018.

Once this happens, utility companies throughout Florida must work together to reduce carbon emissions by an aggregate percentage required the by the Environmental Protection Agency. Right now, Florida’s plan calls for a 38 percent reduction in CO2 emissions statewide, but that could change.

JEA must start complying and making changes to its generation strategy by 2020. Florida does not need to reach the final goal of a 38 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from power plants until 2030, but Florida must average a 33 percent reduction from 2020 - 2029.

How JEA is Adapting to These Changes

In 2015, 38 percent of JEA’s power supply mix came from natural gas. Solid fuels like coal and petcoke contributed 54 percent of our power supply mix that year. The remaining 8 percent came from other power supply sources like our 15 MW solar photovoltaic facility on the Westside near Baldwin.   

Alternative Energy 
JEA supports the development of two types of alternative technology generating facilities: solar panels and landfill gas.   

Fuel Fund 
Because the price of fuel used to generate electricity can fluctuate based on global conditions, the Jacksonville City Council allowed JEA to create a fuel fund or cash reserve to cover fuel costs during a crisis.