By: New Jersey Herald |
A new analysis says two coal-fired power plants in southwestern Pennsylvania can be closed next months as planned without jeopardizing the reliability of the transmission system.
Valley Forge-based PJM Interconnection, the grid operator that distributes electricity to Pennsylvania and 12 other states, had asked FirstEnergy in August to delay the closings of the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station and Mitchell Power Station out of concern for the supply of electricity in the region.
But The (Washington) Observer-Reporter says the company said in a Sept. 19 letter that it sees “no system reliability problems” stemming from the planned Oct. 9 deactivation of the plants.
FirstEnergy cited weak demand, low electricity prices and the costs of complying with environmental regulations for the decision, which could put 380 employees out of work.
