Editing Salem, Massachusetts (section)

===Salem Harbor Power Station===
[[File:Salem Harbor Station Demolition.jpg|thumb|right|The original coal plant (at left) being demolished in 2016, as the single smokestack of the new plant rises]]

In May 2011, after years of legal battles, protests, and one recent fatal accident, the owner of the [[Salem Harbor Power Station]] announced it will close down the facility permanently.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.necn.com/05/12/11/Salem-Mass-power-plant-to-close/landing_business.html?blockID=521746&feedID=4209 |title=Salem, Mass. power plant to close |publisher=Necn.com |date=2011-05-12 |access-date=2012-09-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627051909/http://www.necn.com/05/12/11/Salem-Mass-power-plant-to-close/landing_business.html?blockID=521746&feedID=4209 |archive-date=2014-06-27 }}</ref> Salem Harbor Station was a 60-year-old power plant that was owned by Dominion of Virginia. With the approval of ISO New England, the 60-year-old coal and oil-fired plant closed for good in June 2014.

The City of Salem was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Clean Energy Center prior to the closure of the plant. This grant money is being used to plan for the eventual re-use of the property.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guerriero |first=Lisa |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/salem/features/x1539858512/Countdown-to-closure-Part-of-Salem-power-plant-may-still-be-needed-after-2014#axzz1V3hia1Hh |title=Dominion: Entire Salem power plant will close June 1, 2014 – Salem, Massachusetts – Salem Gazette |publisher=Wickedlocal.com |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> The City of Salem reached out to state and federal officials to ask for their cooperation and assistance in planning for the future and to provide money, in an effort to clean up the 62-acre site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sierraclubmass.org/issues/coal/coal2.html |title=Massachusetts Chapter Sierra Club |publisher=Sierraclubmass.org |access-date=2012-09-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004800/http://www.sierraclubmass.org/issues/coal/coal2.html |archive-date=2013-12-03 }}</ref>

Footprint Power,<ref>{{cite web|title=Salem Harbor Footprint|url=http://www.footprintsalemharbor.com/|website=Footprint Power|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> a startup New Jersey–based energy company, announced on June 29, 2012, that it had signed an agreement to acquire Salem Harbor Station from Dominion Energy of Virginia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/salem/articles/2012/06/30/footprint_power_of_new_jersey_to_buy_salem_harbor_power_station/ |title=Footprint Power of New Jersey to buy Salem Harbor Power Station |publisher=Boston.com |date=2012-06-30 |access-date=2012-09-03 |first=Erin |last=Ailworth}}</ref> Footprint Power planned to demolish the 63-acre waterfront site that has towering smokestacks, a coal pile, and oil tanks. A city study estimated cleanup costs at more than $50 million. The final plan was to develop a new state-of-the-art natural gas plant on one-third of the original site, reportedly along the Fort Avenue side near the city's ferry landing. The remainder of the waterfront property eventually will be used for commercial and industrial redevelopment, the company said. "The transition will not only stabilize our property tax base, but also provide cleaner, more efficient and reliable energy." Footprint said its plans are consistent with the recommendations of a city study completed earlier that year on the future use of the power plant site.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/48018872/Footprint_Power_buys_60_year_old_Mass_power_plant |title=Footprint Power buys 60 year old Mass Power Plant |website=[[CNBC]] }}{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The City of Salem required Footprint to demolish the existing plant and stacks. "We will restore some 30 to 40 acres of our waterfront to its vibrant and prosperous past." Mayor Kim Driscoll said she had not "detailed" talks yet with Footprint, but is encouraged by discussions so far.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1058724309/Company-inks-deal-for-plant |title=Company inks deal for plant |publisher=Salemnews.com |date=2012-08-30 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> Beginning in December 2013, there were many appeals under way from various groups who did not want the plant rebuilt. The main opponent that fought in court was the Conservation Law Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clf.org/blog/tag/salem-power-plant/|title=Salem power plant Archives |work=Conservation Law Foundation}}</ref> a leading environmental advocacy group intent on blocking the plant from being built.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salemnews.com/local/x517513118/Plant-hit-with-another-appeal|title=Plant hit with another appeal|first=Tom|last=Dalton|newspaper=Salem News}}</ref>