FirstEnergy Corp. to shut six power plants in three states

FirstEnergy Corp. to shut six power plants in three states

AKRON

FirstEnergy Corp. says it will shut six older, coal-fired power plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, affecting about 530 employees.

The Akron, Ohio-based utility said today that the move is related to new environmental rules. The U.S. Environmental Protection agency in late December announced new national standards designed to reduce toxic pollution from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

FirstEnergy says the plants in Cleveland, Ashtabula, Oregon and Eastlake in Ohio; Adrian, Pa.; and Williamsport, Md., will be retired by Sept. 1.

The company says some of the workers could transfer to openings at other FirstEnergy facilities and work sites.

Officials indicate in a news release that a recent review determined that upgrading the plants to meet the new rules would not be cost-effective.