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DP&L To Close Two Adams County Coal Plants

Officials with Dayton Power and Light Co. have announced plans to shutter two Adams County coal-fired power plants next year. In a statement, company officials cited economic and environmental challenges as reasons for the closures.

A financial review showed the J.M. Stuart and Killen stations will not be economically viable beyond mid-2018, according to the statement. As a result, officials say, DP&L will cease operations and retire the plants by June, 2018.

 
Dan Sawmiller, a senior Ohio representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, says the closures may force the state to create a more sustainable energy plan.

“I think in-state generation of renewables is around 1 percent of the total generation in the state. So we have a lot of room to grow with clean energy development in the state, which will help us to diversify our energy portfolio, make our grid more reliable for customers and create jobs.”

Sawmiller says Ohio leads the country in the amount of coal production being taken offline, largely due in part to the state's traditional over-reliance on coal. In 2010, Ohio sourced 87 percent of its energy from coal-fired power plants. 

The plants currently generate about $4 million in property taxes each year and employ nearly 500 people. DP&L officials say they are committed to assisting employees facing layoffs as a result of the facility closures. 

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