Report: GenOn Plant Could Close Without Adverse Effect on Reliable Electricity to D.C.

The controversial, aging GenOn Potomac River Coal Plant in Alexandria could be shuttered without impacting the power supply to the nation’s capital, according to a new Analysis Group study commissioned by American Clean Skies Foundation.

However, the report (pdf) adds that the federal or D.C. regulators should ask utility firm PEPCO and PJM, the regional transmission organization, to “confirm the absence of any reliability issues” before closing the plant.

The report says retirement of the Virginia plant would immediately benefit the local environment because  electricity from cleaner generating plants would replace output from the Potomac plant. 

This would ultimately reduce harmful air pollution, especially from chemicals that contribute  to  ozone,  such  as  sulfur dioxide and nitrogen  oxides. Total greenhouse gas  emissions  would also decline substantially, according to the study.

Gregory Staple, CEO of the nonprofit Clean Skies Foundation, said it’s important to ensure that D.C. residents would continue to receive reliable electricity if the plant closes and that the plant’s retirement would benefit the local community. The plant does not generate electricity for Alexandria, although it is located there. 

Last year, the plant only provided about 5% of the total generation in its local PEPCO area, according to the study.

The  Analysis  Group said its report is based on a detailed review  of the  planned  reliability  measures  by  PEPCO and  PJM. It finds that the vast majority  of  upgrades  appear  to  have  been  completed, with  some  remaining  items  scheduled for 2012.   

Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray earlier this month expressed concern about the high levels of sulfur dioxide emitted from the plant in Alexandria and the potential harmful effects on District residents.