Sen. Richard A. Kasunic (D-Somerset) sent a letter Wednesday to Robert Powelson, chairman of the state Public Utility Commission, protesting FirstEnergy Corporation’s decision to close two area power stations.

In his letter, Sen. Kasunic decries the potential loss of jobs, higher consumer energy costs and the threat to the region’s power grid.

“Specifically, pertaining to the Hatfield Ferry Power Station which underwent a $650 million environmental upgrade in 2009, it continues to be one the cheapest, unsubsidized, base load generating facilities at under 3 cents per kilowatt hour,” Sen. Kasunic stated in his letter. “Closure of these facilities will result in the loss of this inexpensive and unsubsidized power source, which is only compounded by the fact that Pennsylvania electric consumers previously assumed the capital costs of both these facilities.

Sen. Kasunic also urged the PUC to demand that the facilities remain open if grid reliability or price volatility can be shown in an upcoming analysis.

“It is my understanding that the next step in the process of these proposed closures is the completion of a grid reliability analysis by the PJM,” Sen. Kasunic stated. “The PJM, just last year, halted the closure of three FirstEnergy plants due to grid reliability concerns. These plants are continuing to operate today under “reliability must run agreements” with the PJM. For this reason, I would request the PUC urge the PJM to complete a thorough and stringent grid reliability analysis on these proposed closures, and, if there is any indication of potential generation issues or increased price volatility, that the PUC demand the PJM to keep these facilities operating.”

A copy of the letter is available online.

7/29/2013