September 23rd, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Changes in attitudes about coal-powered energy occurred when President Trump took office in January. For the local AES coal-powered energy generation plant, it was about 6 months too late as it closed in May of 2023. Now, there may be hope that the plant could reopen. AES has never sold off the location and had been testing different materials. Allegany County Economic Director Jeff Barclay says the company has said there’s a possibility of reopening…

   

“I guess there’s not a hundred percent verification that they are opening, but they told us, I guess they shared, that they’re looking into that situation to possibly open back up.”

Barclay noted that Cumberland did a large amount of business with AES…

    

“They were a big city water customer as well. And of course, it would mean a number of employees as well too, that would have to come in there and run that.”