The last coal-fired power plant in New England is set to close in a major victory for environmentalists. Granite Shore Power announced on Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to shut down the Merrimack Station in New Hampshire by June 2028. The company also plans to convert the site into the state’s first renewable energy park, featuring solar power and battery storage systems.
“This historic victory is a testament to the strength and resolve of those who never wavered in the fight for their communities and future,” said Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director. “The people of New Hampshire and all of New England will soon breathe cleaner air and drink safer water.”
The closure of the coal-burning plant comes after years of protests and a lawsuit filed by environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Conservation Law Foundation. The groups alleged that the plant was violating the Clean Water Act by drawing millions of gallons of water from the Merrimack River and discharging it back at high temperatures.
Climate activists have long demanded the closure of the plant, citing concerns about air pollution and its impact on public health. The announcement will make New Hampshire the 16th state to be coal-free and New England the second coal-free region in the country.
“This is a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for New England,” said Gina McCarthy, Bloomberg Philanthropies Senior Advisor and former White House National Climate Advisor. “I am wicked proud to be from New England today and every day.”
The closure of the Merrimack Station marks a shift towards cleaner energy sources in the region, with natural gas currently being the primary source of energy. However, environmentalists are hopeful that this move will pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape in New England.
