Appalachian Power plans a $17 billion expansion of natural gas-fired electricity generation in West Virginia, according to a release from Governor Patrick Morrisey’s office.
The new plants are expected to be operating by 2031, adding 3 gigawatts of capacity. The governor’s office projects about 2,050 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs from the investment.
A separate $7.5 billion commitment from Appalachian Power would pay for upgrades to its existing coal-fired plants through 2050, the release said.
The governor’s office described the gas generation announcement as the largest in state history by capacity, exceeding the approximately 2.9-gigawatt John Amos Power Plant announcement in the early 1970s.
Morrisey’s office said his ratepayer protection pledge would keep infrastructure costs for the new developments from being passed to existing residential and business customers.
“Electricity prices will not rise because of these initiatives,” the governor’s office said in the release.
Separately, the office reported more than 1,400 applicants to the state’s Home Energy Rebate programs since their launch just over a month ago. It said Cabell County resident Judy Fry, the first participant, received upgrades at no cost and saved $102 on her first monthly electric bill afterward, a 34 percent reduction.
Help Wanted
The Sheriff of Upshur County is accepting applications for a full-time tax deputy position with benefits. Applications are available at the Tax Division, 38 W. Main Street, Room 101, in Buckhannon and must be received by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Read more →
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