The report - requested by the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York - finds that the pre-tax earnings generated by the plant have plunged from $56-110 million in 2005-08 to an average of minus $1 million for 2009-2012.
This was driven by a “perfect storm” of conditions that have impacted deregulated coal plants around the country: low natural gas prices; stagnating power demand due to recession and increased energy efficiency; and uncompetitive coal prices.
Projections of future New York electricity market prices and coal prices do not indicate any relief from these trends, and the Huntley plant is not expected to approach its level of 2005-08 earnings through at least 2020.
The Huntley Generating Station, located in Tonawanda, is one of the few remaining coal-fired power plants in New York State.
Huntley originally consisted of six units, placed into service between 1942 and 1958.
Units 1 and 2 (totalling 180 megawatts) were retired in 2005; Units 3 and 4 (totalling 200MW) were retired in 2007.
The remaining two units, each 218 MW, were placed into service in 1957 and 1958.
