FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. (FES) recently announced its plans to accelerate the deactivation of its remaining coal-powered unit in Beaver County, Pa., because of a lack of economic viability in current market conditions.
FES notified PJM that it would deactivate the Bruce Mansfield Unit 3, based in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 7. The previously communicated deactivation date was June 1, 2021.
The company previously deactivated Mansfield’s Units 1 and 2 on Feb. 5.
“The deactivation will be safely and responsibly conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines,” FES said in a press release. “By November, the workforce will be reduced to a level required to complete deactivation activities. In all cases, the Company will comply with its collective bargaining agreement, including severance as applicable, and have already initiated discussions with Union leadership.”
The company expects to complete deactivation activities by May 2020.
FES, its subsidiaries, and FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company voluntarily filed for bankruptcy on March 31, 2018, to facilitate an orderly financial and operational restructuring. The case is proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, in Akron.