After two hours of debate, senators approved a $105 million appropriation bill to support the Form Energy battery plant project in Weirton.
Passionate discussion echoed themes earlier in the legislative process. Supporters emphasized the 750 well-paying jobs promised by the project. Critics questioned the use of taxpayer funds to support a “green energy” company.
In the end, the bill passed the Senate 21-13. The appropriation had already passed the House, which also had a two-hour debate over it, so this completes the legislation. The bill goes to the governor, who has expressed his support for the project.
Form Energy expects to start construction of its factory on 55 acres at the site of the old Weirton Steel property in 2023 and begin manufacturing iron-air battery systems in 2024 for broad commercialization.
“What we have here is a chance to help Weirton climb out of some pretty dark days,” said Senator Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, referring to Weirton Steel’s fade from prominence. “And it’s an opportunity to put that climb on fast forward.”
Not everybody agreed.
Senator Rupie Phillips, R-Logan, called the deal a “pig with lipstick.” He alluded to the role of coal severance taxes in generating finances for the state. “This is coal money we’re giving to a woke company,” Phillips said.
Senator Robert Karnes, R-Randolph, called the state financial support a big risk.
“We’ve got a battery company that’s never made a battery. I don’t know how you can call that anything other than a wild gamble,” Karnes said.
Karnes was critical of bringing the supplemental appropriations bill straight to the Senate floor, rather than having an opportunity to ask more questions in committee.
“We’ve never had a chance to test this data,” Karnes said, referring to projected economic activity. “We’ve never had a chance to have people come in and testify to the veracity of this data.”
Form Energy is putting up at least $350 million of private dollars to get the project off the ground.
The total public support by the State of West Virginia for the project is $290 million, including the piece lawmakers are advancing. The state Economic Development Authority already put up $75 million. And there’s still $105 million in budget surplus aimed at the project.
The deal means West Virginia will own the building and land, and Form Energy will lease it back. The property would transfer to Form no sooner than five years and only if the company employs 750 workers. The deal calls for workers making at least $63,000 a year in average salary.
Weld pointed toward those precautions.
“We’re not an investor in Form Energy. We’re going to own the land and buildings where they make these batteries. And if they go belly up, we own that land; we own that building. We can sell it to another manufacturer,” he said.
Senator Charles Trump, speaking on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” also spoke in favor of the project. He too found comfort in state ownership of the property until Form Energy proves it’s viable.
“I think the administration and the economic development people have negotiated a good deal, a good plan to mitigate risk that’s associated with it,” said Trump, R-Morgan.
Charlie Trump, WV State Senator (R-Morgan), joins @HoppyKercheval LIVE from the State Capitol to discuss Form Energy, campus carry, and more. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/abcePgZFxg
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) February 15, 2023