Millstone’s participation in the zero-carbon auction follows years of pushing from Dominion and lawmakers, who are concerned that cheaper, abundantly available natural gas could threaten the plant’s survival in the wholesale energy market. DEEP in February agreed to let Millstone compete in the zero-carbon auction against higher-priced hydropower, solar and wind. But the draft RFP issued in late June includes a caveat preventing Millstone from getting the best deal possible until 2023. That’s when DEEP proposes to allow Millstone to be considered “at risk” of closure — a designation that would let regulators weigh Millstone’s environmental and grid benefits as opposed to just its bid price.
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20180718/millstone-power-station-debate-heats-up