UPDATED: GenOn Plant Will Close On or Before 2012 Deadline

7 p.m. update — In response to the PJM analysis, the American Clean Skies Foundation, which in August released plans for a once the plant closed, released a statement Friday saying it welcomed the news that the plant will close on or before the Oct. 1, 2012 deadline.

"The PJM report removes the last remaining hurdle to closing the plant. That means Alexandria can now focus on the Potomac River Green concept we have proposed to redevelop the site which includes a national energy innovation center as well as extensive riverfront housing andrecreation facilities," said Gregory C. Staple, CEO of ACSF.

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The GenOn Potomac River Generating Station will close on or before the Oct. 1, 2012 deadline established in an .

The City of Alexandria was notified on Thursday that the coal plant is not critical to maintaining power in the region following an analysis performed by PEPCO and PJM Interconnections. After looking at power grid operations, it was determined that reliability would not be affected by closing the plant.

According to a city press release, city staff shared the news Thursday at a meeting with the plant’s community monitoring group.