New England’s Last Coal Plants to Close by 2028

In an agreement reached with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental groups, the last two coal plants in New Hampshire will cease operations in 2025 and 2028, respectively.

The plants, Schiller and Merrimack Stations, are set to close. This decision comes after the Conservation Law Foundation and the Sierra Club brought lawsuits under the Clean Water Act against the plants’ parent company, Granite Shore Power.

A press release by the company says the decision to set a firm closure date for coal-fired operations at both Merrimack and Schiller is part of the company’s long-standing repowering plan. Subsequently, it plans to transform these plants into clean energy facilities.

By switching to clean energy and adding wind power that is now being built off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and in the Gulf of Maine, New England is in the early stages of an energy expansion.

Today's announcement from Granite Shore Power: pic.twitter.com/ae0obRVhBh

— Dupont Group (@dupont_group) March 27, 2024

Schiller Station is set to host a battery storage system that can provide power to the grid when there’s a lot of demand and could serve as storage for offshore wind power. Merrimack Station is expected to host about 100 megawatts of solar and more battery storage.

The press release states that this changing electricity use will put a sharper focus on a reliable grid with ever-cleaner electricity priced competitively. It claims that as less efficient power generation gives way to newer sources, both the industry and policymakers should continue the hard work to enhance the electricity market for reliability, affordability, and a clean energy future.

Jim Andrews, CEO of Granite Shore Power, said, “From our earliest days as owners and operators, we have been crystal clear; while our power occasionally is still on during New England’s warmest days and coldest nights, we were firmly committed to transitioning our facilities away from coal and into a newer, cleaner energy future.” He added that they are keeping that commitment by entering into this voluntary agreement with the EPA.

New Hampshire will become the 16th coal-free state in the nation, according to a statement by the Sierra Club.