April 22, 2026 - In Pennsylvania, two coal-fired power plants slated to close in 2028 can now remain open for several more years after the operator reached an agreement with the state.

Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC, planned to close the Conemaugh Station in Indiana County and Keystone Station in Armstrong County after determining energy demands weren’t high enough for it to invest millions to meet federal requirements for water pollution. The requirements set strict limits for bottom ash transport water and flue gas desulfurization wastewater by December 31, 2025, or cease operation.

Wastewater discharges from coal-fired power plants into bodies of water include toxic pollutants and heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury and lead.

However, a rising demand for energy as data centers set up shop across Pennsylvania changed the outlook of the energy market, and Keystone-Conemaugh changed its plan to close the plants. But that meant that unless an exception was made, it would operate without meeting the federal requirements.

As part of a settlement with the state, the plants can continue operating through 2032 as long as the facilities:

Submit applications for permits and authorizations to make system upgrades within 60 days of the consent decree 

Begin construction within 90 days of receiving all permits and authorizations 

Complete construction within 180 days of starting construction

Begin operating the upgraded systems within 60 days of construction completion

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who calls himself “an all-of-the-above energy governor,” celebrated the agreement as a way to assuage energy concerns in the state while reducing the effect on the environment.

President Donald Trump joined in, praising the decision “to keep open TWO BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL PLANTS” as “a BIG WIN for the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” in a social media post.