CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The United Mine Workers of America is taking aim at proposed gas-fired power plants in West Virginia, saying those projects would take away coal mining jobs, destabilize communities, and fundamentally shift the state’s energy future.
The UMWA held a press conference at its District 17 office in Charleston to announce its opposition, and UMWA International President Brian Sanson said West Virginia politicians have a decision to make in this battle.
“West Virginia politicians cannot claim to support coal jobs while allowing competing power plants to be built next door and pretend it won’t affect all these jobs,” he said.
This week, Mon Power filed plans with the state Public Service Commission for a new 1,200-MW natural-gas power plant on land adjacent to the coal-fired Fort Martin Power Station in Monongalia County. Sanson pointed directly to that project.
He believes that plants like these could eliminate thousands of mining jobs.
“Temporary construction jobs are not substitutes for long-term mining careers. After construction ends, a gas plant runs with a skeleton crew of 30-40 people,” he said.
The UMWA claims that the expansion of natural gas-powered plants will push coal to the side as the primary generator of electricity in West Virginia. Sanson fears that could lead directly to economic collapse.
“A coal plant does not have to close completely for our coal mines to shut down. It just has to run less. When coal power use drops, mines close and communities collapse,” he said.
Sanson called on lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to put their support behind coal with legislative action. He indicated that anything short of codified law isn’t enough for him.
“If these gas plants are not meant to replace coal, then put that guarantee in the law. Words are cheap. Laws that are enforceable are real,” he said.
Sanson declared his intention, along with other union representatives, to go to the State Capitol on Tuesday and speak with legislators about their opposition to expanded gas power.