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Justice Signs Bill To Bring Form Energy Battery Plant To Weirton

Two men in suits making an announcement in front of a large white sign with blue and yellow writing.
Gov. Jim Justice and Department of Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael pictured during an announcement about a state partnership with Form Energy.
Courtesy Justice Administration.
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Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill Friday that brings a battery manufacturer to the Northern Panhandle.

“Let’s get on about signing this, OK?”

That was the governor in Weirton before he signed House Bill 2882, which will bring Form Energy and 750 jobs to the former site of Weirton Steel.

The company announced in December it would build utility scale storage batteries in the state. The batteries will use iron oxide – rust – to store electricity for longer durations, days instead of hours.

That kind of battery storage can be paired with solar and wind power to provide grid stability when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

Lawmakers in both chambers approved, though with some debate, the enabling legislation, which includes $105 million in incentives for the company.