Electrical Generation

Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA | Taxation

PA Supreme Court Drives Final Nail in the Coffin of RGGI Carbon Tax
January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

In November, Pennsylvania finally passed a budget—four months late. As part of the deal struck between Democrats and Republicans, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax scheme was permanently ash-canned (see VICTORY! PA Budget Deal Kills RGGI Carbon Tax for Good). The Dems finally agreed to drop the attempt to force the state to participate in RGGI. However, an outstanding lawsuit was pending before the state Supreme Court to answer whether a governor (then Tom Wolf, now Josh Shapiro) could unilaterally compel the state to participate without the consent of the legislature. That question (and case) is now resolved. Read More “PA Supreme Court Drives Final Nail in the Coffin of RGGI Carbon Tax”
CNG/LNG | Electrical Generation | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Grab the Popcorn! Transformation of Gas Markets is About to Begin
January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Natural gas markets have experienced plenty of changes over the past few years. Some of those changes include rising associated gas production in the Permian, new pipeline and storage capacity, new LNG demand, and gyrations in prices. However, an RBN Energy blog article argues that all this was merely a prelude. RBN says the “main event” — a veritable transformation of gas markets, especially along the Gulf Coast — is about to begin. Buckle up! What’s coming? A doubling of LNG demand (to 32 Bcf/d!). Another 10 Bcf/d of new pipelines out of West Texas, plus at least 15 Bcf/d more along the coast. Production revivals in various shale plays. And don’t forget soaring demand for gas-fired power generation. Read More “Grab the Popcorn! Transformation of Gas Markets is About to Begin”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | M&A

Quantum Capital Selling Cogentrix Gas-Fired Plants for $4 Billion
January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

In August 2024, Quantum Capital Group entered into an agreement to acquire Cogentrix Energy, an independent power producer, from another investment firm (Carlyle) for $3 billion (see Quantum Capital Buying Cogentrix Gas-Fired Plants for $3 Billion). The Cogentrix portfolio comprises 5.5 gigawatts of natural-gas-fired power plants located throughout PJM (the M-U region), ERCOT (Texas), and ISO-NE (New England). M-U molecules feed most power plants in PJM and ISO-NE, which is why we are interested. Yesterday, Vistra Corp. announced it is buying the Cogentrix Energy plants from Quantum in a deal worth $4 billion. Not a bad deal for Quantum—buy and hold Cogentrix for 15 months, then flip the assets for a cool $1 billion profit. Read More “Quantum Capital Selling Cogentrix Gas-Fired Plants for $4 Billion”
Chesterfield County | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Virginia

Virginia DEQ Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Peaker Plant Project
January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Mixed signals are coming from Virginia’s regulatory agencies regarding a gas-fired project in Chesterfield. In June 2023, Dominion Energy announced plans to build four small “peaker” electric generating plants in Chesterfield County near Richmond (see Dominion Plans to Build 1,000-MW Gas Peaker Plant Near Richmond, VA). The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) calls for building four 250-megawatt gas-fired power plants (1,000 MW total) that can jump into action during the coldest and hottest days of the year to help supply enough electricity for 250,000 homes—to keep the lights on because solar and wind are not up to the task. In November 2025, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) finally approved the project. But three weeks later, the SCC canceled its approval so it could consider a last-minute appeal filed by radical green groups (see Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant). However, a day after the SCC withdrew its approval, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) gave its approval for the project. Read More “Virginia DEQ Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Peaker Plant Project”
AI | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Licking County | Ohio | Regulation

Ohio Board Approves “Behind the Meter” Power Plant Near Columbus
December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Back in February, MDN told you that a company called PowerConneX had pre-applied to build a 120-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant at a 49-acre site in New Albany, Licking County (near Columbus) that will host a data center (see New Power Plant/Data Center Proposed in Columbus, OH Suburb). Instead of connecting to the local grid, the power plant will be “behind the meter”—providing 100% of its power to a local data center. The company filed the full, official application in June, expanding the capacity of the power plant to 216 MW. According to news we’re just hearing about now, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved the expanded application at its Nov. 20 board meeting. Read More “Ohio Board Approves “Behind the Meter” Power Plant Near Columbus”
AI | Electrical Generation | Greene County (PA) | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation

Green County, PA, OKs Phase 1 of New Data Center with 910-MW Plant
December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

The Greene County Planning Commission recently voted 8-1 to approve Phase 1 of “Project Hummingbird,” a massive data center complex proposed for the former Robena Mine site in Monongahela Township. This initial phase focuses on land grading, reclamation, and site preparation for a “power island” featuring two natural gas turbines totaling 910 megawatts (MW) and a water treatment plant. The plant will use Marcellus/Utica gas to power it. Read More “Green County, PA, OKs Phase 1 of New Data Center with 910-MW Plant”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Indiana County | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania

13 Kids Join Challenge Against Homer City Gas-Fired Power Plant
December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

In April, Knighthead Capital Management, Homer City Redevelopment (HCR), and Kiewit Power Constructors Co. announced a plan to convert the former Homer City Generating Station, previously the largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania (Indiana County, 50 miles east of Pittsburgh) into a more than 3,200-acre natural gas-powered data center campus, designed to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (see Largest Gas-Fired Power Plant in the U.S. Coming in Western Pa.). The new gas-fired plant attached to the project will be THE LARGEST gas-fired power plant in the country, capable of producing up to 4.5 gigawatts (4,500 MW) of electricity. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently approved an air quality plan for the new facility (see PA DEP Signals Air Plan Approval for $10B Homer City Power Plant). Last week we told you that PA radicalized green groups (Clean Air Council, PennFuture, and Sierra Club) have officially appealed the DEP’s permit approval (see PA Green Groups Appeal DEP Permit for Homer City Gas-Fired Power). You can now add to the lawfare campaign a group of 13 children, represented by Our Children’s Trust, who are challenging the project. Read More “13 Kids Join Challenge Against Homer City Gas-Fired Power Plant”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Marshall County | Regulation | Taxation | West Virginia

Moundsville, WV Gas-Fired Power Plant Project Back from the Dead
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

In August 2014, the Marshall County, WV board of commissioners voted to approve a plan to build a Marcellus Shale-powered electric plant in the county (see Marshall County Votes to Accept Gas-Powered Electric Plant). Moundsville Power, a company owned by developers from Buffalo, NY, sought to build a 549-megawatt plant costing (at that time) $615 million. It never happened due to opposition from the coal industry, which (at that time) had a stranglehold on the state (see Last Stand: Big Coal Tries to Block NatGas Electric Plant in WV). While the coal industry is still highly influential in WV, natural gas is seen as equally important. The long-dead Moundsville project has come roaring back to life under Gov. Patrick Morrisey and his “50 by ’50” power plan (see WV Gov. Morrisey Wants 50 GW of PowerGen in State by 2050). Read More “Moundsville, WV Gas-Fired Power Plant Project Back from the Dead”
AI | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Indiana County | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Regulation

PA Green Groups Appeal DEP Permit for Homer City Gas-Fired Power
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

In April, Knighthead Capital Management, Homer City Redevelopment (HCR), and Kiewit Power Constructors Co. announced a plan to convert the former Homer City Generating Station, previously the largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania (Indiana County, 50 miles east of Pittsburgh) into a more than 3,200-acre natural gas-powered data center campus, designed to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (see Largest Gas-Fired Power Plant in the U.S. Coming in Western Pa.). The new gas-fired plant attached to the project will be THE LARGEST gas-fired power plant in the country, capable of producing up to 4.5 gigawatts (4,500 MW) of electricity. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently approved an air quality plan for the new facility (see PA DEP Signals Air Plan Approval for $10B Homer City Power Plant). PA radicalized green groups have officially appealed the DEP’s permit approval. Read More “PA Green Groups Appeal DEP Permit for Homer City Gas-Fired Power”
Chesterfield County | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Virginia

Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

In June 2023, Dominion Energy announced plans to build four small “peaker” electric generating plants in Chesterfield County near Richmond (see Dominion Plans to Build 1,000-MW Gas Peaker Plant Near Richmond, VA). The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) calls for building four 250-megawatt gas-fired power plants (1,000 MW total) that can jump into action during the coldest and hottest days of the year to help supply enough electricity for 250,000 homes—to keep the lights on because solar and wind are not up to the task. Three weeks ago, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) finally approved the project (see Va. SCC Finally Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant). And just like that, the SCC has canceled its approval so it can consider an appeal filed on Monday by radical green groups. Yes, elections have consequences. Read More “Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Virginia

Gas-Fired Power Plant Planned for Southwest Virginia Data Center
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

Great news about another new gas-fired power plant coming to Virginia—a plant that will use Marcellus/Utica molecules. Red Post Energy Group and Wise Innovation Hub Venture (OASIS) have signed a Letter of Intent to develop power infrastructure for a major technology and data center hub in Wise County, Virginia, in the southwestern corner of the state. Known as the Maverick Project, this phased initiative aims for a total capacity of 600 megawatts, beginning with an initial 100-megawatt phase. Read More “Gas-Fired Power Plant Planned for Southwest Virginia Data Center”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | West Virginia

WATT Fuel Cell Begins Commercial Rollout with First Install in WV
December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

WATT HOME™ solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system installed at the Hope Gas Edward M. Smith National Career and Life Skills Development Center, in Clarksburg, WV.

A fuel cell manufacturer located in Westmoreland County, PA — WATT Fuel Cell — manufactures Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (“SOFC”) stacks and systems that operate on common, readily available fuels such as natural gas and propane. Instead of burning and combusting natural gas (or propane), those fuel sources are subjected to an electrochemical process that produces electricity. Hope Gas, a West Virginia-based natural gas utility, announced a plan in October of last year to roll out WATT Fuel Cells to over 5,000 of its customers (see Hope Gas Gets Ready to Roll Out WATT Fuel Cells to WV Customers). It all begins with the first customer. WATT announced yesterday that it has successfully placed its first commercial installation in Clarksville, WV. Read More “WATT Fuel Cell Begins Commercial Rollout with First Install in WV”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania

PJM’s Tight-Fitting BRA: Auction Fails to Get Enough Power for 27/28
December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

PJM Interconnection today announced the results of its 2027/2028 Base Residual Auction (BRA), which secured 134,479 MW of unforced capacity generation (UCAP) and demand response (DR) to meet projected electricity needs for more than 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The auctioned price came in at the FERC-approved cap of $333.44/MW-day (UCAP) for the entire PJM footprint, an increase of +1.3% from the 2026/2027 BRA. Even so, the BRA fits way too tightly, falling short of PJM’s reliability requirement by 6,623 MW, meaning the committed supply is less than what would be required to meet the one-event-in-10-year reliability standard of a 20% reserve margin. If that event happens in 2027/28, we’re in trouble. The lights will go out. Who’s to blame? We credit Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Read More “PJM’s Tight-Fitting BRA: Auction Fails to Get Enough Power for 27/28”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Dominion & Santee Cooper Defend Plan for SC Gas-Fired Power Plant
December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a proposed project to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The Canadys project is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). As they have from the beginning, the two companies continue to defend the project against attacks by anti-fossil fuel groups. Read More “Dominion & Santee Cooper Defend Plan for SC Gas-Fired Power Plant”
AI | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Regulation

Congressional Dems Blame AI Data Centers for High Electric Prices
December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

MDN was among the first to tell readers that so-called environmental groups were quickly morphing from anti-fracking to anti-data center. Over the past several months, we’ve observed in various posts how opposition to data centers (from the same people who oppose fracking and shale energy) has gone from local and regional anti groups (see More Evidence that PA’s Anti-Frackers are Now Anti-Data Center and Antis in Ohio Join the Chorus Bashing AI Data Centers) to national groups (see 200 Enviro Groups Want Freeze on Building ALL New Data Centers). And now, the usual suspects in Congress have joined the cause, blaming data centers for high electricity costs and calling for the construction of all-new data centers to be blocked. Read More “Congressional Dems Blame AI Data Centers for High Electric Prices”
Electrical Generation | Franklin County | Industrywide Issues | Ohio

Ohio State U. Gas-Fired Power Plant Completion Delayed *Again*
December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

In October, we told you that completion of Ohio State University’s Combined Heat and Power Plant (powered with Utica Shale gas) would be delayed until April 2026 (see Ohio State U. Gas-Fired Power Plant Completion Delayed Until 2026). Strike that. It will now be May 2026, at the earliest, before the facility comes online. Ohio State University (OSU) is constructing two natural gas combustion turbine generators and one steam turbine generator with a maximum power generating capacity of 105.5 megawatts of electricity and 285 kilopounds per hour of steam. It’s being built on 1.35 acres at OSU’s main campus in Franklin County (see OH Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant for OSU – Antis Pledge to Fight). Read More “Ohio State U. Gas-Fired Power Plant Completion Delayed *Again*”