Charah Solutions Acquires Cheswick Generating Station and Related Facilities from GenOn for Sustainable Environmental Remediation and Redevelopment of Properties

Rhea-AI Summary

Charah Solutions (NYSE:CHRA) has signed a binding agreement to acquire the Cheswick Generating Station, Lefever Ash Landfill, and Monarch Wastewater Treatment Facility from GenOn. This acquisition reflects a commitment to sustainable environmental remediation, with plans to decommission the coal plant and redevelop the site. The Cheswick facility is set to cease operations by March 31, 2022. This is Charah’s fifth major Environmental Risk Transfer project, strategically positioning the company to capitalize on the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants in the U.S. over the next decade.

Positive

• Acquisition of Cheswick Generating Station and associated facilities enhances Charah's Environmental Risk Transfer portfolio.
• Expected economic activity expansion and job creation in local communities through sustainable redevelopment.
• Fifth major ERT project for Charah Solutions, solidifying its leadership in environmental remediation services.

Negative

• Financial commitment required for decommissioning and remediation could strain resources.
• Potential integration challenges during property redevelopment and environmental remediation.

Environmental Risk Transfer Services Leader to Demolish Existing Power Plant, Close Ash Landfill, Remediate Site and Redevelop Property in a Sustainable Manner

Charah Solutions' Growing Environmental Risk Transfer Portfolio Proves Beneficial to Utility Partners, Shareholders, Local Communities and the Environment

LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / January 20, 2022 / Charah^® Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:CHRA) (the "Company"), a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry, today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Cheswick Generating Station, the Lefever Ash Landfill and the Monarch Wastewater Treatment Facility from GenOn and will begin environmental remediation and sustainable redevelopment of the Pennsylvania properties upon closing. The asset purchase agreement with GenOn was signed in December 2021, and the full transfer will take place in early April 2022 after the Cheswick Generating Station ceases electrical generation operation. Charah Solutions has commenced the redevelopment and remediation planning efforts and will begin physical work after closing. GenOn will continue to maintain responsibility for the plant and operate the plant, the landfill and the wastewater treatment facility in the normal course of business through closing.

As part of this agreement, Charah Solutions, through three companies related to its subsidiary, Charah Environmental Redevelopment Group, LLC (CERG), will acquire the properties from GenOn Holdings, LLC, which consist of:

• The Cheswick Generating Station, a 565 MW coal-fired plant operated by GenOn, located in Springdale, PA, outside of Pittsburgh and along the Allegheny River. The 56-acre primary generating station site, along with an adjacent 27-acre parcel, consists of an operating rail line, a coal yard, bottom ash emergency and recycle ponds, waste ponds and a coal pile runoff pond, coal delivery equipment, and an ash handling parcel. CERG will be responsible for the shutdown and decommissioning of the coal power plant, the remediation of the two ash ponds and performing all environmental remediation and redevelopment work at the site. The Cheswick Generating Station is expected to be deactivated on March 31, 2022.
• The Lefever Ash Landfill located three miles northwest of the Cheswick Generating Station in Cheswick, PA. The 182-acre site, including the 50-acre landfill facility, is currently operating and provides disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) and residual waste from the Cheswick Generating Station under an active solid waste permit. CERG will be responsible for the closure design, remediation closure work and post closure monitoring of the landfill.
• The Monarch Wastewater Treatment Facility located on seven acres in the Borough and Township of Springdale in Allegheny County, PA. CERG will be responsible for day-to-day management and operations and for compliance with all applicable environmental regulations.

CERG has retained Avison Young to provide real estate advisory, development, and brokerage services to oversee the redevelopment of the property and future sales of the remediated properties. CERG plans to redevelop the properties in an environmentally conscious manner that will expand economic activity and benefit the surrounding communities through job creation, promotion of industry, and support of the tax base while enabling the site to provide the best potential use for the community moving forward, all while sustainably remediating the site for the betterment of the community. The existing power plant will be demolished, and potential redevelopment uses for the properties include renewable energy and battery storage options that utilize the existing transmission system, re-use of the switchyard, transportation and logistics that utilize the river shipping assets, and other potential industrial uses.

This acquisition of the Cheswick Generating Station, the Lefever Ash Landfill and the Monarch Wastewater Treatment Facility is the Company's fifth major Environmental Risk Transfer (ERT) project and the second major project with GenOn. In July 2021, the Company announced the acquisition of GenOn's Avon Lake Generating Station and adjacent property, with the full transfer expected to occur in the first half of 2022. As a leader in environmental remediation and risk transfer services to the power generation industry, Charah Solutions provides a proven ERT services model that delivers compelling value to utility partners, shareholders, local communities and the environment. The Company just recently announced the sale of 80% of the real property acreage at the former Gibbons Creek Steam Electric Station and Reservoir with the sale of the additional 20% of the real property acreage to be announced in 2022. With approximately 241 existing coal-fired power plants in the U.S. expected to be decommissioned over the next 10 to 15 years, Charah Solutions is ideally positioned to capitalize on its innovative ERT services model to partner with additional utilities to perform the shutdown, remediation and redevelopment of these plant properties for years to come.

"This is the end of an era for Cheswick, and the retirement of this facility reflects the changes occurring in our nation and around the world," states David Freysinger, GenOn CEO. "We are delighted to reach agreement with Charah Solutions as the Cheswick Plant approaches the end of its useful life. This transaction will bring Charah Solutions' expertise to bear in redeveloping the property for the benefit of the community."

As a sustainability leader in utility services for over 30 years, Charah Solutions is dedicated to preserving natural resources in an environmentally conscious manner through environmental remediation and redevelopment projects such as this. Sustainability is a Charah Solutions core value, and Charah Solutions focuses its business on developing innovative solutions to complex environmental issues for the betterment of the planet, the communities in which it operates, its customers and its investors. Charah Solutions sustainability services reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease landfill disposal, remediate land for community and business use, conserve natural resources, and protect waterways. For more information regarding Charah Solutions' commitment to sustainable practices, download our 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report at charah.com/sustainability.

According to Scott Sewell, Charah Solutions President and CEO, "Our Environmental Risk Transfer services are innovative and sustainable solutions designed by Charah Solutions to meet the evolving and increasingly complex needs of our utility partners to lower their costs and meet their environmental commitments. Many utilities are experiencing an increased need to retire and decommission older or less economically viable generating assets while minimizing costs and maximizing the value of the assets and improving the environment. Our unique scale to provide a single-source answer for large-scale, complex environmental solutions continues to be a compelling solution for our utility partners. The Cheswick project is another example of Charah Solutions providing a custom approach for these complex projects while sustainably remediating the site and redeveloping the properties in an environmentally responsible manner designed to create economic and environmental benefits for the entire community."

About Charah Solutions, Inc.

With 30 years of experience, Charah Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Charah Solutions assists utilities and independent power producers with all aspects to sustainably manage and recycle ash byproducts generated from the combustion of coal in the production of electricity. Charah Solutions also designs and implements solutions for ash pond management and closure, landfill construction, fly ash sales, and structural fill projects. Charah Solutions is the partner of choice for solving customers' most complex environmental challenges, and as an industry leader in quality, safety, and compliance, Charah Solutions is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner energy future. For more information, please visit https://charah.com/ or download our 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report at charah.com/sustainability.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Charah Solutions expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "may," "expect," "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "intend," "achievable," "anticipate," "will," "continue," "potential," "should," "could," and similar terms and phrases. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Charah Solutions based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Charah Solutions, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. See Charah Solutions' Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and other periodic reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and Charah Solutions undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Contact
Roger Shannon
Charah Solutions
(502) 245-1353
ir@charah.com

Media Contact
Tamara Davis
PriceWeber Marketing
(270) 202-8516
media@charah.com

SOURCE: Charah Solutions, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/684511/Charah-Solutions-Acquires-Cheswick-Generating-Station-and-Related-Facilities-from-GenOn-for-Sustainable-Environmental-Remediation-and-Redevelopment-of-Properties

FAQ

What properties is Charah Solutions acquiring from GenOn?

Charah Solutions is acquiring the Cheswick Generating Station, Lefever Ash Landfill, and Monarch Wastewater Treatment Facility.

When will the Cheswick Generating Station cease operations?

The Cheswick Generating Station is expected to cease operations by March 31, 2022.

What is the purpose of the acquisition by Charah Solutions?

The acquisition aims to facilitate sustainable environmental remediation and redevelopment of the properties.

How will the redevelopment benefit local communities?

The redevelopment is expected to create jobs and promote economic activity in the surrounding communities.

What is Environmental Risk Transfer?

Environmental Risk Transfer is Charah Solutions' model to manage decommissioning and remediation of power generation facilities.