Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) shakes hands Thursday with Constellation Energy CEO Joseph Dominguez. Constellation owns the Conowingo Dam behind them, and the hydroelectric power plant inside the dam. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters)
Maryland officials unveiled a $340 million settlement Thursday and issued a new water quality certification to the Conowingo Dam, clearing the way for dam owner Constellation Energy to seek a new 50-year federal license to operate the hydroelectric facility.
The deal also resolves years of contentious litigation over the nearly century-old dam, which has become an environmental flashpoint in recent years as its overwhelmed reservoir has allowed polluting sediment to overflow into the Susquehanna River…