CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A strong showing in support of keeping the Mitchell Power Plant in Marshall County open and operating through 2040 dominated a public hearing conducted by the state Public Service Commission Wednesday.
Appalachian Power Company is seeking PSC approval to make mandated environmental changes at its coal-fired Mitchell, John Amos and Mountaineer plants in West Virginia. The company has submitted a handful of options for consideration. Three of the four options include closing the Mitchell plant by 2028.
Most of the speakers favored a fourth option that would keep Mitchell open for 19 more years to 2040.
West Virginia First District Congressman David McKinley appeared in person before the PSC in Charleston. He told them closing Mitchell would be a bad idea when it comes to jobs and a reliable power grid. McKinley said he doesn’t believe residents would mind paying a rate increase to keep the plant open.
“Proposed rate increases to keep the Mitchell plant open pale in comparison to the devastation that would come with its closure,” McKinley said.
Appalachian Power proposes spending between $286 million and $317 million to modify the plants. It would initially seek to recover approximately $23 million through a surcharge that would raise customers’ bills approximately 1.5%
Delegate Lisa Zukoff, D-Marshall, told the PSC that’s a small price to pay to keep good-paying jobs in place.
“I keep track track, just as you do, of how many folks that I’ve heard from–who is for and who is against,” Zukoff told the PSC. “I have not heard one concern from our residents in the northern panhandle about a rate increase to pay for this. They understand the importance of keeping out jobs intact.”
But Jim Kotcon, of the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, told the PSC ratepayers should mpy have to pay for the improvements. He said he’s still paying for scrubbers installed on three units at the Harrison Power Station in 1995.
“If you fool me once shame on me. Fool me twice shame on you. Don’t make the ratepayers pay for this,” Kotcon said.
The Marshall County Mine, supplies the Mitchell plant with most of its coal. But the plant also receives coal from other operations including those in Kanawha and Boone counties. UMWA representative Chad Francis told the PSC Wednesday it’s time to “pump the brakes on these premature power plant closures.”
Marshall County Commissioner Mike Ferro, a former state lawmaker, said closing the plant would hurt Marshall County’s tax base. He said they’d have a more difficult time funding emergency services and community groups. Ferro said the county lost significant funding when the chemical and glass industries left the area and couldn’t withstand a similar hit.
“We remember when they closed and took workers and their families with them to other states,” Ferro said.
A number of public hearing speakers were gathered together in Marshall County and spoke in favor of the 2040 option via video with the PSC.
“The residents want you to keep the plant open,” Del. Charlie Reynolds, R-Marshall, told the commission.
Rep. McKinley wrapped up his six minutes of comments by urging the PSC to fulfill what he believes is its mission.
“If the PSC is committed to its mission, providing reliable energy and looking out for the general interest of the economy of not only West Virginia but of this country, hopefully you will take the action to allow the Mitchell Power Plant to remain operational through 2040,” McKinley said.
The PSC is scheduled to hold an evidentiary hearing next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8-9, on the case. A decision will come in the months following.