Maryland signs agreement for power produced on reclaimed coal mine

Maryland has signed a 20-year deal to buy solar power from a large project being built on a closed coal mine in the western part of the state. The state expects the agreement to save around $300 million over two decades, with estimates ranging from $298 million to $515 million depending on how electricity markets move. Starting in 2028, the state will buy about half the output of the 300 MW Jade Meadow III Solar Project, enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes a year, making up close to 15% of the state's overall power portfolio.

The project sits on nearly 6,000 acres of former mining land, with about 1,850 acres used for construction. It's currently being built and is expected to start operating in the second half of 2027, with the state's purchases beginning the following year. The developer, REV Renewables, says it's investing more than $500 million and expects to employ over 1,200 people at the peak of construction.

This deal doesn't change anything for individual homeowners directly — it's a purchase between the state and a power developer for electricity used in state buildings and operations. But it does add a large chunk of solar power to Maryland's grid and supports the state's climate goals, which call for cutting greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2031 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. It also builds on other state renewable energy contracts already in place, including solar and wind projects at Mount St. Mary's and the Roth Rock and Pinnacle wind farms.