BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — NRG Chalk Point LLC (NRG) has entered a consent decree after alleged nitrogen exceedances at the Chalk Point and Dickerson electric generating stations, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has announced.
"The Office of the Attorney General is determined to protect our citizens and our waterways from pollution," Frosh said. "This consent decree will improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and should serve as a reminder that we all play a role in protecting our environment, including our corporate citizens."
NRG built the Chalk Point Electric Generating Station on the shores of the Patuxent River in Prince George’s County. After it was completed, the state introduced new discharge permits mandating that plants limit their nitrogen and phosphorous discharges. NRG’s plant allegedly could not meet these new permit limits. As part of the settlement, NRG will upgrade the facility and pay $1 million in penalties.
"Power plants have a responsibility to keep Maryland's rivers, skies and lands clean for all," Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles said. "This strong enforcement action includes a stiff penalty, improved technology at the plants to prevent nitrogen pollution, and significant investments in projects to protect the health of our priceless Potomac and Patuxent rivers."