Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Contact:
Adil Trehan, Sierra Club, adil.trehan@sierraclub.org, 202-630-7275
Trenton, NJ – Today, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) unanimously approved a petition by utility company Atlantic City Electric to modify the power purchase agreements for the Logan and Chambers coal-fired power plants, paving the way for retirement of the last two coal plants in New Jersey by the end of May. The owner of the plants, Starwood Energy, plans to decommission the plants and work with a clean energy developer to bring renewable energy projects to the sites.
In addition to the projected emissions benefits of the transition, the approved settlement will return nearly $30 million in savings to Atlantic City Electric ratepayers compared to the previous power purchase agreement.
In remarks immediately before the vote, BPU Chair Fiordoliso called the settlement ending coal-fired generation in NJ “a huge step forward” and “a day to celebrate…as we ensure future generations a liveable earth.”
In response, Greg Gorman, Conservation Chair, Sierra Club NJ Chapter, issued the following statement:
“This is a historic decision by the BPU, as it marks the end of coal burning in New Jersey, and an important step in implementing Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan. We commend Atlantic City Electric for taking this critical step to lower the carbon footprint of its electric supply, while at the same time securing a refund for its ratepayers. We’re also thrilled that Starwood Energy is looking to directly transition to cleaner, cheaper renewable energy at these sites, ending nearly three decades of pollution in Carneys Point and Penns Grove, historically overburdened communities on the Delaware River. This is a huge milestone in the state’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.