New England Ends Coal Era as Last Power Plant Closes Ahead of Schedule
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📰 The quick summary: New England has officially ended coal-fired electricity generation as Merrimack Station in New Hampshire closed in September, three years ahead of schedule, marking a significant shift toward cleaner energy sources in the region.
📈 One key stat: Coal use in New England fell by more than 90 percent between 2007 and 2017, demonstrating the dramatic shift away from this polluting energy source as cheaper alternatives became available.
💬 One key quote: “Coal has been challenged in New England for twenty years. The market no longer sustains and justifies these types of facilities,” said Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association.
1️⃣ The big picture: New England has officially ended its reliance on coal power as Merrimack Station in Bow, New Hampshire – the region’s last coal-fired plant – shut down in September. The closure came years ahead of its scheduled 2028 shutdown date, highlighting coal’s declining economic viability. Once operating at 70-80 percent capacity in the early 2000s, Merrimack’s utilization had dropped to less than 8 percent in recent years as cheaper natural gas and renewable energy options became more accessible. This closure represents the culmination of decades of market forces and environmental activism pushing for cleaner energy sources throughout New England.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The end of coal power in New England eliminates a significant source of environmental pollution. Merrimack Station had failed emissions tests, with particulate matter levels 70 percent above federal limits and elevated mercury and nitrogen oxide emissions. For every hour of operation, it emitted more carbon dioxide (CO2) than the average American does in 26 years. The site now has potential for a clean energy transformation, with plans to convert it into a renewable energy park featuring solar and battery storage. This transition leverages existing grid infrastructure and approximately 400 acres of land. The closure also demonstrates how market forces naturally favor cleaner, more cost-effective energy solutions over time.
3️⃣ What’s next: Granite Shore Power plans to convert both Merrimack Station and Schiller Station into renewable energy parks with solar and battery storage. These projects will utilize existing grid connections and approximately 400 acres of available land. Meanwhile, environmental activists from the No Coal No Gas campaign are shifting their focus to inefficient oil and gas peaker plants that operate during high-demand periods.
Read the full story here: Inside Climate News – New England Says Goodbye to Coal as Merrimack Station Powers Down
