Commercial Liability Partners purchases retired Walter C. Beckjord Station in Ohio
Commercial Liability Partners (CLP) recently purchased the retired Walter C. Beckjord coal-fired power plant in Clermont County, Ohio, with plans to repurpose much of the property for future development.
Joint owners Duke Energy, American Electric Power and Dayton Power & Light announced the sale on Monday. Duke Energy will continue to own and operate a nearby transmission substation and switchyard and plans to invest in modernization of its regional electric grid. Duke Energy Renewables will also retain ownership of two battery storage units on the site.
“Beckjord Station powered our region and played a vital role in the county’s economy for countless families and businesses,” Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, said. “We’ve pursued an outcome that will advance the county’s priorities with regard to safeguarding the environment and revitalizing the property and we’re pleased that this historic property is poised for a second act as an integral part of our community.”
Under terms of the sale, CLP will oversee groundwater monitoring, abatement, decommissioning, demolition of the facility and additional environmental needs. CLP and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) plan to meet next month to finalize environmental plans for the site, which includes the station and nearby coal ash ponds.
“(Monday’s) announcement is an important milestone in the ongoing process to decommission the retired units at the Beckjord site and the ultimate removal of the power plant’s footprint to ground level,” CLP President and CEO Ron Froh said. “This is an important step in bringing new life and economic development potential to the site and the region. We look forward to working under the direction of the OEPA, and in partnership with local officials, to determine final environmental plans for the site.”
Duke Energy will contribute $750,000 to regional economic nonprofit Connect Clement over a three-year period to help promote future development under terms of the agreement.
“As evident from our long-standing and valued partnership, Duke Energy believes in Clermont County,” Henning said. “We are confident that, with this support and the leadership of Connect Clermont, the county will achieve many of the goals outlined in their Agenda for the Future.”
