Revoking of Conowingo Dam License a Win for Clean Water

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling vacating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's 50-year license for Conowingo Dam to Constellation Energy. The challenge was issued by several nonprofit organizations, including Choose Clean Water Coalition members Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, ShoreRivers, and Waterkeepers Chesapeake. The groups argued that the license was unwarranted due to the failure to address systemic water pollution issues associated with the dam's operations. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"With no further capacity to trap pollution behind its walls, pollution and debris from the Conowingo Dam frequently threaten the health of all waterways downstream. This threat is even more perilous when major storm events strike our area. The danger of pollution overflowing the dam looms over communities, jeopardizing local economies and all who depend on clean water.

"With the once-in-a-generation moment of a 50-year operating license, it is critical that we take significant steps toward alleviating this threat. We applaud our members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, ShoreRivers, and Waterkeepers Chesapeake, for their work on revoking this license. We will support efforts to ensure the Conowingo Dam operating license safeguards the Chesapeake Bay for decades to come."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 275 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

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Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org