For Immediate Release
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
PSEG will close their remaining coal plants in New Jersey at the end of the week. Neither Hudson nor Mercer Generating station has cleared the PJM capacity auction for the prior two years. By 2020 Brideport Plant in Connecticut will also be closed. The Sierra Club supports closing both these coal plants as a way to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“This is great news: finally, the two dirtiest coal plants in New Jersey will close. The entire region can breathe easier. After 20 years of fighting these plants with lawsuits, protests, and events, the environment finally gets a victory. New Jersey has some of the worst air pollution in the nation and these plants are big contributors to that. These were two of the largest sources of air pollution in the region. With Mercer and Hudson closing, there will not be any coal plants from Trenton all the way to Maine and Jersey City to Buffalo. This is win-win for the people and environment for New Jersey.
“This is a game changer in our battle against dirty energy and for clean air. We believe that these plants have not only hurt the environment, but have hurt ratepayers, and that’s why it’s so important that they are closing. Closing these plants will help the people in the region, especially New Jersey, be healthier. The toxic mercury and air pollution from coal plants had led to hospitalization and other health effects. Carbon pollution leads to smog and triggers asthma. Closing these plants is an important way to reduce air pollution and improve the health of thousands of New Jersians.
“Closing the Mercer plant will not only help get rid of air pollution, but protect fish in our waterways too. The Mercer Generating Station in Hamilton is not only the largest source of air pollution in the region, it is also been one of the largest sources of water pollution. The plant has killed up to 70 million fish and fish larvae per year including more than 30 species of fish. Every day, this plant has robbed the River of millions of gallons and dumps polluted water back into the River. By closing this plant, we are protecting these fish and the entire Delaware River. Closing the Hudson coal plant is also incredibly important because it is the largest source of air pollution in Jersey City.
“We want to thank PSEG and Ralph Izzo for their leadership on the environment and working to close these plants. He is committed to fighting climate change with clean energy. We look forward to working with him and PSEG on energy efficiency, renewable energy and other ways to get us to a carbon-free future. Given PSEG’s size and other facilities, we also would like to work with them to a just transition for the employees of these plants.
“Coal is expensive and dirty and that’s why it’s good that we’re getting rid of these plants. The next Governor should be committed to 100% renewables by 2050. We need to transition to renewable energy and keep closing coal plants and stopping other fossil fuels from expanding. Clean air is an essential part of a healthy economy. Reducing air pollution will not only reduce health costs and sick days for the residents of New Jersey, but investing in renewable will create jobs and protect our environment.
“These coal plants are not financially viable and closing them will help consumers save money. They were forced to put in better air pollution equipment, which makes them more expensive to operate. They also have to deal with issues like coal ash and other costs. They are hardly operating now and they have to bring in low-sulfur coal from Indonesia. That means that closing these plants will help protect rainforests there. The plants can’t even make the auction and this is why they need to close.
“It’s especially critical that states are taking the lead to move away from coal. Cities across the country are turning former coal-plants into new uses. Alexandria, Virginia is turning theirs into mixed-use development and Philadelphia is transitioning one to a big entertainment center. This is important because the cities won’t lose revenue from the plants sitting empty at the same time we significantly improve air quality. PSEG will shift the workers from this facility to others, meaning no one will lose their jobs.
“This victory becomes even more important because of the Trump Administration’s pro-coal agenda. He has rolled back protections and opened up public lands for coal mining. He is allowing coal ash to be dumped into our waterways. Trump has nominated coal and gas-industry representatives to leadership positions. Even with his push, these plants are closing. The Sierra Club has helped close 253 coal plants nationwide. We’re also working to stop natural gas power plants and pipelines and instead promote renewable energy. We will continue to fight against Trump’s dirty energy agenda.
“Closing these two dinosaur coal plants will make our air cleaner and people healthier. This is a big step for New Jersey. This victory shows that people sticking together and fighting can make a difference. Even if it takes years, we can work together to transition our environment and economy from fuels to clean energy. We need to work on closing the rest of our state’s fossil fuel plants and projects. We need to resist the anti-environmental and pro-coal actions of the federal government. Standing up and fighting is how we can win and stop Donald Trump. We can work together to transition to a carbon-free economy and protect our environment!