Trump administration intervenes to keep Eddystone plant active
The Trump administration decided to keep the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania operational, a day before its planned shutdown. The decision is based on extraordinary powers that are usually used in crisis situations.
President Trump's administration made the decision to continue the operation of the Eddystone Generating Station, owned by Constellation Energy Corp. The plant was scheduled to close, but the Department of Energy used extraordinary powers to maintain its operation, Bloomberg reports.
This decision followed testimony from the power grid operator, who highlighted increasing problems with resource adequacy. The rise in energy demand and the closure of other power plants contributed to this situation.
The plant has been operating since the 1950s
Eddystone Units 3 and 4, each with a capacity of approximately 380 megawatts, can run on natural gas or oil, depending on market conditions. These units were commissioned between 1967 and 1970.
At the same time, units 10, 20, 30, and 40 were installed, with a combined capacity of about 60 megawatts. These are sets of oil-powered peaking units that operate during periods of high demand, the company explains.
Construction of Eddystone began in the mid-1950s. The first two coal units of the plant were shut down in 2011 and 2012.
This is not the only such decision
A similar order affected the JH Campbell power plant in Michigan, which was also instructed to continue operations past its planned closing date.
Both decisions aim to ensure energy stability in the face of growing challenges, Bloomberg notes.
