Citizen Advocates Challenge Federal Rate Hike for 'Zombie Power Plant' Amid Cost Concerns

Consumer Advocates Push Back Against Federal Rate Hike



Consumer advocates, notably the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois, are fiercely contesting a controversial federal mandate that keeps the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania operational beyond its originally scheduled closure. This federal order from the Department of Energy (DOE) poses serious financial implications for consumers, projecting an estimated cost of $5.1 million that will ultimately impact residential and small business electricity bills across the PJM region.

On July 1st, 2025, Clara Summers, who manages CUB’s Consumers for a Better Grid initiative, voiced strong opposition to the DOE’s decision. According to Summers, this order is not about ensuring reliability but is a financial boost to the fossil fuel sector, funded by consumers already facing high energy costs.

The Financial Burden of the Eddystone Generating Station



The Eddystone facility, which runs on oil and gas, has been operational for nearly five decades, dating back to its construction in the 1970s. Initially, it was set to close on May 31, 2025, but the DOE’s intervention has extended its operating period by an additional 90 days. This extension has drawn sharp criticism for being both costly and unnecessary.

Summers emphasized that the PJM Interconnection, the entity managing the power grid in this region, has confirmed there are sufficient energy resources available for the summer. The DOE's recent claim of an

Topics Policy & Public Interest)

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