| Footprint Power LLC has agreed to acquire the coal- and oil-fired Salem Harbor Power Station from Dominion Energy Inc. and will replace it with a natural gas-fired power plant.
New Jersey-based Footprint plans to remediate the site and develop a natural gas-fired plant on approximately one third of the 63-acre site in Salem.
The remainder of the site will eventually be used for commercial and industrial redevelopment consistent with the findings of an assessment study performed by the city of Salem.
The Salem Harbor transaction, expected to close upon receipt of regulatory approvals, will be Footprint’s first acquisition. The company has been working to purchase the power plant since last year.
Footprint is focused on improving the environment through proper remediation, reduced emissions and enhanced integration of renewable resources, according to a statement. The new plant design will usher in "a new era" of power generation in New England by reducing emissions throughout the ISO New England power system. The ability of the new plant to quickly start and stop will enable more intermittent renewable generation to be built in the future.
