Former Coal Mine Now Powers 15% of Maryland With Solar

The same land that once produced coal for over a century is getting a second life as a massive solar energy project.

Maryland's Board of Public Works approved a $470 million agreement this week to transform the Lower Georges Creek Coalfield in Garrett County into a major solar power site. The Jade Meadow III Solar Project will begin generating clean electricity by 2028.

The coalfield operated on and off since the 1800s before shutting down in the early 2000s. Now REV Renewables, a clean energy company, will use that reclaimed land to produce 250,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually.

Governor Wes Moore says the transformation shows how former industrial sites can support the state's energy future. The 20-year agreement is expected to save Maryland $300 million while providing enough electricity to power nearly 15% of the state's portfolio.

The timing matters for Maryland residents facing rising utility costs. The solar project aims to strengthen the power grid while keeping electricity affordable for families across the state.

By 2028, the project will be connected to the PJM Interconnection, a power grid serving Maryland and 12 other states plus Washington, D.C. That regional connection helps ensure reliable electricity distribution.

The Ripple Effect

This project does more than generate clean electricity. It demonstrates how communities can reimagine abandoned industrial sites for renewable energy.

Maryland has committed to sourcing 100% of its energy from clean and renewable sources by 2035. According to the state Department of the Environment, this climate plan could deliver $1.2 billion in public health benefits, $2.5 billion in increased personal income, and create 27,400 jobs by 2031.

The Jade Meadow project puts Maryland on track to meet those ambitious goals. Other states with similar shuttered coal sites are watching to see how the transformation works.

Local officials note the symbolic importance of the location. A site that once represented fossil fuel extraction will now produce emissions-free electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes.

From coal to solar in one generation, this Western Maryland site shows how energy transitions can honor the past while building a cleaner future.