As a precautionary measure against electricity shortages in the 13-state mid-Atlantic grid, the U.S. Department of Energy has directed an oil and gas facility in Pennsylvania to maintain its turbines during the hottest summer months.
The department’s order to the grid operator, PJM Interconnection, regarding the Eddystone Power Plant, located just south of Philadelphia on the Delaware River, is the department’s second use of federal power under President Donald Trump to mandate the continued operation of Eddystone Power Plant on the mainland United States.
Constellation Energy had intended to terminate the operation of Eddystone’s units 3 and 4 on 1st of June; however, the Department of Energy under President Trump directed the company to maintain their operations until at least August 28. A total of 760 megawatts can be generated by the units.
The department’s order cited PJM’s increasing apprehensions regarding power shortages in the context of the shutdown of ageing power facilities and the increasing demand for electricity.
Last year, PJM granted Constellation’s request to close the units. However, it expressed its appreciation for the department’s decision to maintain their operation, describing it as a “prudent, term-limited measure” that enables PJM, the department, and Constellation to investigate the long-term necessity and feasibility of Eddystone Power Plant’s units.
The department took a similar measure last week, ordering Consumers Energy to maintain the operation of the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan beyond its scheduled retirement on 1st June.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the grid operator in the area, stated that the order was superfluous, that there was no energy emergency, and that there would be sufficient energy in the region throughout the summer.
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network, an environmental advocacy organisation, characterised the decision to maintain Eddystone’s operations as an “environmental injustice.” It was stated that the shutdown of the units would assist the region in meeting federal clean air standards for haze and reduce hazardous pollution and carbon emissions from the decades-old facility.