Closing of the Vienna plant would take away jobs and make the power grid on the mid-Shore less reliable.
The Vienna Generating Station, a century-old oil-fired power plant on the Nanticoke River, faces potential closure under proposed state regulations that would reduce the allowable sulfur content in fuel oil from 2 percent to 0.3 percent by January 2026.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Dorchester County Council, plant officials urged state regulators to adopt a 0.5 percent sulfur limit instead, warning that the stricter standard could force the facility to shut down.
“We’re not opposing cleaner air, but 0.3 percent sulfur fuel isn’t widely available, and our equipment can’t adapt without major costs,” said David Barker, senior regional manager for NRG Energy, which owns the 167-megawatt plant through Vienna Power. “A 0.5 percent limit would let us comply while keeping the plant operational.”
The Vienna plant, a peaking facility that operates less than 2 percent of the year to meet high electricity demand, nonetheless employs 15 full-time workers in Vienna, a town of about 270 residents.
A closure would directly affect those jobs and could impact local suppliers, such as fuel and maintenance contractors in Dorchester County, potentially impacting economic activity and straining local businesses and services.
The proposed regulation aims to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, thereby protecting air quality and the Nanticoke River ecosystem. Maryland has already successfully reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by 90 percent since 1990. Dorchester County is also compliant with federal air quality standards.
Plant officials argue that Vienna’s limited operation contributes minimally to statewide emissions, and closure could reduce grid reliability for the Eastern Shore’s 12,000 households, potentially leading to increased electricity costs.
Council President George L. Pfeffer Jr. and Vice President Mike Detmer questioned whether fuel switching or state aid could mitigate the impacts. Councilmember William V. Nichols noted the balance between environmental goals and county needs. No action was taken, but the council expressed interest in supporting a compromise with state regulators.
The state Department of the Environment plans to finalize the sulfur rules by December. Vienna’s operators said they have raised concerns with state officials and District 37 legislators, seeking relief to preserve the plant’s role in the region.
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