Shannon Fisk

Director, State Electric Sector Advocacy Clean Energy Program

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Shannon Fisk is the director of State Electric Sector Advocacy. Prior to his current role, he served as managing attorney for the Coal Program, and led Earthjustice in pushing the nation to become less dependent on its aging coal fleet, stopping uneconomic investments in dirty power plants, and making way for untapped renewable energy resources and innovation in energy efficiency.

Since joining Earthjustice in 2012, Fisk has ramped up the organization’s litigation and advocacy on coal issues in the Midwest, the heart of the U.S. coal industry. He joined Earthjustice after more than 10 years of litigating against coal-fired power plants and on other environmental issues at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Fisk has been a tireless advocate for environmental and public health interests before public utility commissions, state environmental agencies, and courts in proceedings that will determine the Midwest’s energy future. His litigation has secured several coal-plant retirement commitments across the region and beyond, including halting American Electric Power’s proposed $940 million retrofit of the Big Sandy coal plant in Kentucky, which the company is now planning to retire in 2015.

Fisk graduated from the University of Michigan and received his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School.

The Latest from Shannon Fisk

July 27, 2023

In the News: WDET

DTE to close Monroe coal plant by 2032

“Every year earlier that a coal plant retires is saved lives, it’s better public health impact and it’s less climate pollution.”
January 25, 2022

In the News: CBS News

Congress is spending billions on carbon capture. Is it a climate savior or a boondoggle?

"If we're serious about climate change, we need to double down … build a grid that's 100% clean, rather than keeping fossil plants alive on this, to date, elusive promise that someday they will be carbon-free."
October 20, 2021

In the News: Utility Dive

Coal-fired electricity rebounds in 2021, but resurgence could be short-lived

"The purported 'rebound' projected by the EIA would leave 2021 coal generation below 2019 levels, and is expected to be very short-lived."
February 5, 2021

In the News: Detroit News

Biden's EPA ends appeal, cementing DTE Energy-Sierra Club settlement

"The ability of front-line communities to fully pursue the rights and protections promised by the federal Clean Air Act is critical to advancing environmental justice, and EPA’s decision enables us to now focus fully on ensuring that the agreement with DTE brings meaningful relief to the River Rouge, Ecorse and 48217 communities.”
A coal plant on the Ohio River near Cincinnati Ohio USA
October 16, 2015

Fighting Billion-Dollar Bailouts for Outdated Coal Plants in Ohio

Earthjustice is litigating against proposals by FirstEnergy and American Electric Power that could cost customers billions while guaranteeing profits for corporate shareholders.
A flock of birds fly past a smokestack of a coal-fired power plant.
August 5, 2014

Carbon Nation: Pushing for a Stronger Clean Power Plan

Earthjustice applauds EPA for moving forward with the proposed Clean Power Plan, and we urge EPA to set the stronger standards that we know states can achieve.
December 24, 2013

Coal: Bad in Stockings, Worse in Lungs

Answers about our reliance on coal