MD Contact: David Smedick, david.smedick@sierraclub.org
PA Contact: Emily Pomilio, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org
ANNAPOLIS , MD - Today, Talen Energy announced that the company would stop burning coal at the Montour, Brandon Shores, and Wagner power plants by the end of 2025, pending approvals by relevant state agencies. In addition to moving off coal, Talen publicly committed to develop 1 GW of solar and electricity storage facilities, beginning with a 100MW solar development adjacent to the Montour site in Pennsylvania and storage at Wagner in Maryland.
“We applaud Talen's decision to join the ranks of leading power companies across the country in retiring climate disrupting coal plants” said Mark Kresowik, Deputy Regional Director for the Sierra Club. “This decision, and the company’s growing investment in developing solar and electricity storage at these sites, should be supported by decision-makers and investors alike.”
Talen’s announced plans for Brandon Shores and Wagner in Maryland will reduce air pollution, barge traffic, and noise for the neighboring community of Stoney Beach.
“The Stoney Beach Association of 458 homes adjoining the Wagner and Brandon Shores power generation stations in North Anne Arundel County, MD applauds the decision of Talen Energy to convert these power plants,” said Darrell Abed, President of the Stoney Beach Association. “This decision is welcomed by our community and will greatly improve the air quality for our community and for communities in the surrounding areas and will also greatly reduce these stations' waste products. We thank Talen Energy and the Sierra Club for their hard work and cooperation in making this significant decision and for reaching out to our community. We look forward to continuing to work with Talen Energy and the Sierra Club in the hopes of eventually transitioning these power generation stations to fully clean energy. We greatly appreciate this significant step in the right direction.”
Talen previously applied for permits to convert the Montour plant in Pennsylvania to fracked gas. The Sierra Club will oppose that every step of the way. Methane (the primary component of fracked gas) is a greenhouse gas 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide over its first 20 years in the atmosphere, and can leak at every stage of production and delivery.
“We appreciate Talen CEO Ralph Alexander’s prudent perspective in leading the company away from coal and hope he takes the same approach with fracked gas and other fossil fuels,” continued Mr. Kresowik. “There is no place for fracked gas in a clean energy economy.”
The company’s announcement also called on Maryland and Pennsylvania decision-makers to invest in clean energy and transition for communities that have hosted power plants.
“The Sierra Club echoes Talen’s call for Pennsylvania and Maryland officials to invest in clean energy and transition for communities and workers impacted by coal’s declining profitability. The Maryland legislature should pass legislation to require all power plants in Maryland to stop burning coal before 2030 and provide a more stable and prosperous future for impacted communities and workers,” said Mr. Kresowik. “We will continue to advocate until our country is powered by clean energy once and for all.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.