Miners, Clean Power Advocates To Protest Proposed Gas-Fired Electric Plant

The United Mine Workers of America and groups interested in solar and wind energy are encouraging supporters to attend, and speak, at a hearing before the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) on July 15.  

The PSC will be discussing a proposal from First Energy’s Mon Power and Potomac Edison to build a new gas-fired power plant in Monongalia County including a $2.48 billion gas-electric generation plant, along with three solar projects.  

The clean energy groups are concerned that ratepayers will be asked to pay for the new plant with their electric bills.  

The companies filed an application in February to construct a 1,200-megawatt gas plant next to the existing Fort Martin Power Station.  

According to a statement from the community groups, the companies are seeking an initial surcharge that would raise average customer bills. They said “West Virginia can meet future energy needs more affordably through energy efficiency, demand response, distributed solar, battery storage, virtual power plants, and targeted upgrades to the local grid.” 
 
The UMWA also raised concerns in a statement that First Energy has announced plans to close the existing coal-fired Fort Martin power plant if this proposed project is approved by the PSC. They said closing the Fort Martin power plant was a “decision could spell the beginning of the end of the coal industry in West Virginia.” 

“First Energy has announced plans to pursue a second large gas plant, further increasing the threat to coal miners’ jobs. We will fight to protect the jobs of thousands of coal miners and the communities they live in,” UMWA International President Brian Sanson said in a press release. “This proposed gas plant petition is an absolute betrayal of the families who have given their lives powering this nation. First Energy is asking West Virginians to accept the elimination of thousands of jobs and to pay higher electric bills in order to provide record profits to their out-of-state investors and the billionaire owners of the data centers who will benefit from this proposed gas plant.”  

The mine workers questioned what ratepayers would have to contribute but said “The true financial burden on West Virginia ratepayers remains unclear because the plan submitted doesn’t include critical compliance costs and partially relies on a loan from the Department of Energy (DOE). Experts indicate these missing factors will add billions of dollars to the cost of the plant, which will be passed directly to local families and communities.” 

Sanson will give additional testimony on July 16 before the PSC.   

Charleston Public Hearing 
When: Wednesday, July 15 at 5:30 PM 
Where: Public Service Commission of West Virginia, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, WV 25301 

Written comments may also be submitted to the PSC by mail, hand delivery, or online at https://www.psc.state.wv.us by clicking “Submit a Comment.” All written comments should reference Case No. 
26-0108-E-CN.