Charles County Coal Repower Sparks State Support Query

Environmental advocacy groups are pressing Maryland Governor Wes Moore to publicly clarify his administration’s stance on a controversial proposal by TeraWulf to repower retired coal-fired units at the Morgantown Generating Station in Charles County to supply energy for a planned data center along the Potomac River.

Public Citizen and the Port Tobacco River Conservancy issued a March 9, 2026, release and letter demanding the governor address claims made by TeraWulf during a February 26, 2026, investor presentation. In that presentation, the company described its Morgantown project as “Supported by Governor Moore and MDE,” referring to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The groups seek a meeting to discuss whether this endorsement exists for repowering the coal units—potentially with coal or natural gas—without broader community input.

The Morgantown Generating Station, located on approximately 260 acres south of Washington, D.C., in Newburg, includes two coal units retired in 2022 and four operational oil-fueled units. TeraWulf, a bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company headquartered in Easton, Maryland, announced on February 2, 2026, its acquisition of the site—subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval and other consents. The company aims to expand generation capacity significantly, targeting an initial 500 MW phase with plans for up to 1 GW total, paired with battery storage and data center load, while positioning the site as a net-positive contributor to Maryland’s grid by supplying surplus electricity.

TeraWulf’s February 3, 2026, coverage in the Southern Maryland Chronicle detailed the site’s current 210 MW operational capacity (primarily from the oil units) and potential to scale to 1 GW. The company emphasized reinvesting in existing infrastructure for grid reliability, long-term economic activity, and responsible growth, with incremental development coordinated with state and local stakeholders. Chairman and CEO Paul Prager stated the acquisitions reflect a strategy to support grid needs and meet load demand in a net-positive manner. The announcement highlighted proximity to Mid-Atlantic markets for compute-intensive uses like high-performance computing, AI, and bitcoin mining, but did not specify fuel sources for repowering or mention state endorsements.

Advocates argue the project represents one of the largest fossil fuel infrastructure expansions in a community facing environmental injustice in recent Maryland history. They note TeraWulf has not held public meetings with local residents, and details remain vague. Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program, said: “TeraWulf hasn’t met publicly with local residents, and details of its plans for the Morgantown Power site are vague, so we hope he can provide definitive clarity.”

Tina Wilson, president of Port Tobacco River Conservancy, added: “While TeraWulf claims his administration’s full support for their 1,000 MW fossil fuel expansion, such a project would be a devastating step backward for Maryland’s climate goals. This community deserves a seat at the table, not a backroom deal that prioritizes data centers over the health and voices of Charles County families.”

Both organizations are intervenors in the ongoing FERC proceeding reviewing TeraWulf’s acquisition of Morgantown Power. The push for clarification comes amid broader debates on balancing data center-driven energy demand—fueled by AI growth—with Maryland’s climate commitments and local environmental concerns in Southern Maryland.

No response from the governor’s office or MDE has been detailed in the release. The letter requests a meeting to explain any support for the fossil fuel aspects of the plan.