POTOMAC EDISON WANTS TO BUY OUT AES CONTRACT

Potomac Edison is submitting a proposal to the Maryland Public Service Commission to buy out its contract with the AES/Warrior Run coal-fired power generating station in Cumberland. According to the Cumberland Time-News, the $357 million buyout would terminate the contract seven years early and save Potomac Edison customers about $80 million. AES is looking for opportunities to repurpose the site for low carbon solutions that continue to serve local communities. It also means AES would continue to operate the plant through at least May or next year and work with existing employees to manage a “responsible transition” and would maintain full operational control of the site following decommissioning. About 75 employees were scheduled to meet with AES officials yesterday.