SALEM (AP) - The cleanup of a polluting coal-fired power plant in Salem is one step closer after the new owner announced they have completed the purchase from the former owner.
Footprint Power LLC announced that its acquisition of the 60-year-old Salem Harbor Station from Dominion Energy Inc. went into effect Saturday.
The new owner says it plans to end the coal plant's operation in May 2014, and build a cleaner natural gas-fired plant on the site.
The news was welcomed by city and state leaders, concerned about the environmental and health effects of the plant, but also worried about the loss of tax revenue if it closed.
The Salem News reports that Footprint's president said by building a new facility at the site, much of the waterfront would become accessible to the public.