“The last symbol of dirty coal in Massachusetts has come tumbling down, and a coal-free New England is within our reach,” said Sean Mahoney, Executive Vice President at CLF. “Brayton Point spewed toxic pollution into nearby communities for decades, sickening residents and devastating our environment. Now residents can literally breathe easier as clean, renewable energy will rise out of the rubble of this dirty, polluting dinosaur.”
Brayton Point Station spewed toxic emissions for nearly 60 years. Today, the massive cooling towers finally came down, bringing us one step closer to the end of coal in New England.
“You don’t often get to see concrete examples of the changes that we’ve been working on for decades,” Mahoney said. “You’re blowing up the towers that made it barely acceptable for that facility to burn coal.”
The Conservation Law Foundation complaint says Merrimack Station in Bow is polluting the Merrimack River with excess hot water. The nonprofit first announced its intent to file the Clean Water Act suit, along with the Sierra Club, last November.
“Merrimack Station has seriously undermined the health of the Merrimack River for decades,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “This dirty coal plant is damaging our climate and endangering public health, all while polluting an iconic natural resource. The owners of this plant must immediately address these offenses and ensure the Merrimack River is protected from further harm.”
The Sierra Club and the Conservation Law Foundation sued in federal court Monday regarding the Merrimack Station power plant in Bow. The plant was owned by Eversource until last year, when it was sold to Connecticut-based Granite Shore Power. Both are named as defendants.
“Merrimack Station has seriously undermined the health of the Merrimack River for decades,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “This dirty coal plant is damaging our climate and endangering public health, all while polluting an iconic natural resource.”
CLF helped phase out polluting coal plants across the region.
“This report speaks loud and clear—fracked gas is increasing our carbon emissions and harming our environment,” said Greg Cunningham, VP and Director of CLF’s Clean Energy and Climate Change program. “Coal’s sharp-dressed cousin is continuing us on a path to irreparable and costly climate damage. It is imperative that we shift our clean energy transition into high gear and accelerate our clean car standards to reverse this trend.”
Brayton Point Station used to be piled high with dirty coal. But today, it’s in the midst of transforming into a clean energy hub for New England.
