The Administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently sought final approval from the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania of a consent decree with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC (Key-Con), operator of the Keystone and Conemaugh Generating Stations in Indiana and Armstrong Counties, Pa., to allow continued operation of both power plants with required upgrades to meet federal wastewater discharge standards.
The Keystone and Conemaugh Generating Stations each produce approximately 1,700 megawatts of electricity.
Both coal-fired plants had been scheduled to cease operations on December 31, 2028, but this consent decree would allow the plants to continue operating through 2032 due to upgraded wastewater treatment equipment at both plants.
Allowing the plants to continue operating under enforceable environmental requirements will help avoid supply shortfalls that can drive up electricity prices for consumers across the region, Shapiro’s office said in a news release.
The required upgrades will ensure compliance with federal wastewater standards, significantly reducing the potential for pollutants to enter Pennsylvania waterways, Shapiro’s office said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection notified the Court in December 2025 of the proposed consent decree and then solicited public comment.
After receiving and responding to more than 700 comments, DEP is now asking the Court to make the consent decree final.
Under the agreement, the facilities must:
• Submit complete applications for all necessary permits and authorizations to construct required Bottom Ash System upgrades within 60 days of the Court’s approval of the consent decree;
• Begin construction within 90 days of receiving required permits and authorizations from DEP;
• Complete construction within 180 days of commencement; and
• Begin operating the upgraded systems within 60 days of construction completion.
The agreement also includes financial penalties to ensure accountability. Key-Con will be required to pay daily penalties while operating the facilities until the upgrades are complete, along with additional penalties if milestones are missed.
