Statement from Chesapeake Climate Action Network Virginia State Director Beth Kemler on Announced Closure of the Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jamie Nolan, 410.463.9869, jamie@chesapeakeclimate.org

“We applaud the City of Alexandria and GenOn for their decision to retire the Potomac River coal-fired power plant.

This coal plant is one of the largest sources of planet-warming carbon emissions in the DC area, and retiring it is a necessary step in preventing the dangerous impacts of climate change in our region.

Just this weekend, Irene shined a spotlight on the future we could face if we don’t stop releasing greenhouse gases — one where climate change causes more frequent and more severe extreme weather events. GenOn’s decision is a step in the right direction — it will reduce the Washington, D.C. area’s carbon emissions equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the roads. However, GenOn owns three more ancient, polluting power plants in the DC region that date back to the Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Johnson administrations: Dickerson, Chalk Point, and Morgantown. These plants must be shut down as well.

GenOn’s announcement is a sign that the momentum is on our side to move the region away from its reliance on dirty fossil fuels and towards a clean energy future.”

For more information about the coal plant closure, click here.

See photos of CCAN’s April 2011 candlelight vigil at the coal plant here.

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Statement from Chesapeake Climate Action Network Virginia State Director Beth Kemler on Announced Closure of the Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, Virginia

Statement from Chesapeake Climate Action Network Virginia State Director Beth Kemler on Announced Closure of the Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, Virginia

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Statement from Chesapeake Climate Action Network Virginia State Director Beth Kemler on Announced Closure of the Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, Virginia

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