Army Post Near Baltimore Breaking Ground For New Power Plant

EDGEWOOD, Md. (AP) -- The Army is breaking ground for a more efficient power plant at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground near Baltimore.

Maryland Department of the Environmental Secretary Benjamin Grumbles is speaking at the event Wednesday.

Officials say the plant will produce both steam and electricity to support missions including chemical and biological defense research. It will replace the capabilities of a waste-to-energy incinerator owned by

Harford County that is scheduled for decommissioning in March.

The Army currently buys steam from Harford County and electricity from the grid. The new, gas-fired plant will produce more steam than the incinerator and also generate about half of the Edgewood Area'selectricity.

Spokesman Kelly Luster says the $40 million project will pay for itself in electricity savings in 10 years or less.

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