16 July 2010-- The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) finalized a consent agreement with NRG Energy Inc. that will permanently shut down Unit 3 at the Indian River coal-fired power plant by 2013. Only the plant’s newest and lowest-emitting unit, Unit 4, will remain in operation.

NRG agreed to shut down its two oldest units, units 1 and 2, in 2010 and 2011, and install emission control technology on units 3 and 4 by the end of 2011. Unit 2 has been shut down and Unit 1 is expected to be shut down by May 2011.

By the end of 2011, NRG will complete installations of the emission control technology on Unit 4, which will cost approximately $360 million. It will now operate Unit 3 through 2013 instead of investing in upgrades.

As part of the agreement, NRG will negotiate contracts for offshore wind manufacturers to begin construction on the planned Bluewater Wind project.

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