Pennsylvania officials are seeking court approval to extend the life of two major coal-fired power plants as part of an effort to steady the regional electric grid and curbing rising utility costs.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, and President Donald Trump, a Republican, announced the move Tuesday evening.
The Shapiro administration is asking the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas for final approval of a consent decree with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects LLC, the operator of the Keystone and Conemaugh generating stations located in Indiana and Armstrong counties.
Under the agreement, the plants would continue to operate through 2032, four years beyond their previously scheduled retirement date of Dec. 31, 2028.
The extension is contingent upon required upgrades to meet federal wastewater discharge standards.
“Pennsylvanians are worried about rising energy costs right now and they need reliable, affordable sources of power,” Shapiro said in a statement.
The governor, who describes himself as an “all-of-the-above” energy leader, said the upgrades would protect energy jobs while reducing environmental impact.
Each station produces approximately 1,700 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. Federal grid operators, including PJM Interconnection, have recently expressed concerns that premature plant retirements could threaten grid reliability as electricity demand grows.
“The Commerce Department worked with Governor Josh Shapiro, who has now agreed to keep open TWO BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL PLANTS,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
He added, “Radical Left Lunatics wanted to get rid of these wonderful Plants in favor of WIND FARMS, which kill the birds, and are both costly and ineffective. We will never allow that to happen!”
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican, applauded the decision and said the extension would guarantee baseload power for manufacturers, hospitals, and schools.
“Pennsylvania will continue to lead the way on generation,” McCormick said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) notified the court of the proposed decree in December 2025.
After reviewing more than 700 public comments, the agency is moving forward with an enforceable schedule for improvements.
“DEP now has an enforceable schedule for required improvements, as well as enforceable penalties if milestones are missed,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley.
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The consent decree mandates a strict timeline for the operator:
- Complete permit applications for Bottom Ash System upgrades must be submitted within 60 days of court approval.
- Construction must begin within 90 days of permit receipt and conclude within 180 days.
- The upgraded systems must be operational within 60 days of construction completion.
The agreement includes daily financial penalties so the facilities remain accountable during the transition.
Aric Baker, president of IBEW Local 459, said the decision protects hundreds of “family-sustaining union jobs.”
While the administration moves to keep the coal plants online, Shapiro’s office noted that the governor is also pursuing a “Lightning Plan” to expand clean energy projects across the state.
The move follows previous efforts by the Shapiro administration to address energy affordability, including a recent intervention in a proposed rate hike by PECO.
