NJ’s Hudson and Mercer Coal Plants to Retire #BeyondCoal

PSEG to Retire Hudson and Mercer Coal Plants
20 Year Campaign Ends in Victory for Sierra Club, Allies

PSEG announced plans to close the Hudson and Mercer Generating Stations — their two remaining coal-fired power plants in New Jersey. Neither Hudson nor Mercer station has been deemed necessary to meet peak electric demand by the grid operator for the past two years. The plants will retire on June 1, 2017. The Sierra Club supports the responsible retirement of both these coal plants as a way to reduce air and water pollution and greenhouse gasses.

In response, Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“This is a victory for the environment and the people of New Jersey and the region. The closing of these two plants is a turning point in our battle against dirty coal and for clean air in the entire region. We want to thank Ralph Izzo for his environmental leadership, his commitment to fighting climate change and his work to close these plants. We look forward to working with him and PSEG on energy efficiency, renewable energy and other ways to get us to a carbon-free future. We also support PSEG’s pledge to provide a just transition for the employees at these plants.

“The Hudson and Mercer coal plants are some of the largest generators of air pollution and greenhouse gasses in the entire state. Closing these plants will help the people in the region, especially New Jersey, be healthier, save money on health care costs and breathe a little easier. In fact, the toxic mercury and air pollution from Hudson had led the NAACP to cite it as the third worst environmental justice offender in the country in its “Coal Blooded” report.

“Closing both plants will also protect the waterways and fish of New Jersey. The Mercer Generating Station in Hamilton is not only the largest source of air pollution in the region, it is also been one of the largest sources of water pollution. The plant has killed up to 70 million fish and fish larvae per year from more than 30 species including endangered sturgeon. Every day, this plant has robbed the River of millions of gallons while dumping polluted water back into the River. By closing this plant, we are protecting these fish and the entire Delaware River.

“We must now work to replace these plants with clean, reliable renewable energy instead of more dirty fossil fuels like natural gas. Clean air is an essential part of a healthy economy and investing in renewable energy is the safest bet for our region’s future. Reducing air pollution will not only reduce health costs and sick days for the residents of New Jersey, but investing in renewable will create jobs, spur industry and protect our environment.

“Today’s victory is, in large part, due to twenty years of tireless work by staff members, volunteers and community members up and down the state who want to see a just, clean energy future for New Jersey.  Closing these plants will make our air cleaner, our water safer and reduce dangerous carbon pollution. Now, we must work towards replacing these plants with renewable sources of energy that will strengthen our economy, protect our environment, and safeguard our public health.”

Antha Williams, Environmental Program Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, which has provided $80 million to the Beyond Coal Campaign added:

“The closing of Hudson and Mercer is not only a huge victory for climate action and public health, but also demonstrative of a nationwide movement. Community after community are realizing that the transition to cleaner sources of energy saves consumers money and creates new jobs. These retirements bring Beyond Coal to nearly 250 closures since the campaign’s inception. It’s a remarkable feat showcasing the power of advocacy, the desires of the American people, and the potential of a clean energy future.”