In Ohio, three new shale permits were issued. It has road, rail, and river transportation access and is near a major natural gas pipeline. So says a single Associated Press article. They recognize that the necessity of that coal-fired power plant on a safety and security level.. Public lands or private profit? They worry the next possible one might devastate them. According to the PSC, the plan provides the companies time to further evaluate purchasing the plant; provides a reasonable plan to compensate ETEM while demolition of the plant originally slated to begin after May 31 on hold; and only charges ratepayers for the actual costs of maintaining the plant for a limited time. Its not just plant employees and their families that would be affected by a closure. Pleasants Power, located south of St. Marys and Belmont in Pleasants County near the Wood County border, was commissioned in 1979 and fully operational in 1980. Company officials said last week those negotiations are ongoing. A company called West Virginia Methanol Inc. has selected a site in Pleasants County, WV to develop to build a $350 million methanol plant. Pleasants County Solid Waste Authority announces electronics Next fiscal year, the Pleasants County school system is projected to collect around $6.7 million in taxes. Continue reading, Some exciting news to share! Morgantown event to review legislative session, City Council approving changes to lease with GoMart ballpark, improvements for 5-corners intersection. All persons displayed here are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. It would raise $36 million over a 12-month period, or $3 million per month. Jim Justice said Wednesday he still wants to see the Pleasants Power Plant near St. Marys saved, but it is CHARLESTON, WV Gov. I think they must think long and hard to the fact that we may not have the reliable capacity in all situations to retire any plants at this point.. And to answer your final question, he said, we always need all the relevant information before us to make a decision that affects our constituents, and with this information that they are putting out to the PSC I would more than likely look at this in a different view. For Renner, his job at the plant has made it possible to offer his son that running start, like planning to help him through college. Copyright Marietta Times | https://www.mariettatimes.com | 700 Channel Lane, Marietta, OH 45750 | 740-373-2121, Responders at the scene indicated he had set both fires, but its still under investigation,, Shortly after, Mr. Zuri is a beagle-mix and is about 6 months old. A surveillance video captured an image of the person of interest. Point Pleasant, WV. {{::location.tagLine.value.text}}. Point Pleasant is a city in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. The population was 4,637 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mason County and the principal city of the Point Pleasant, WV-OH Micropolitan Statistical Area. We are located on the main floor of the Courthouse in Room 103 and our office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Continue reading, Last week 24 permits were issued to drill new shale wells in the Marcellus/Utica. Latest example: Barely a month ago WV officials announced they will lease the land under portions of the Ohio River, to allow Marcellus/Utica drilling (see State of WV Looks to Lease Area Under Ohio River for Drilling). WebWelcome to the Pleasants County Assessors Website Here you will find information about this office and resources on property and taxes here in Pleasants County. The governor and his Commerce Secretary, Keith Burdette, have published an official notice seeking bids from drillers. of Environmental Protection has gotten a signed consent order from Antero Resources assessing a fine of $93,000 on the company for pollution of waterways in several WV counties related to installing pipelines. Continue reading, Last October MDN told you that a company called West Virginia Methanol Inc. has selected a site in Pleasants County, WV to develop to build a $350 million methanol plant (see WV Announces New $350M Methanol Plant in Pleasants County). Im aware of the task or what its going to take supposedly from Mon Power and FirstEnergy and everybody in regard to keeping the plant open.. Pleasants Idling Pleasants will cost the state millions of dollars in severance tax. Superintendent: Michael Wells ; Schools . The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) heard testimony Friday from Mon Power officials about a proposal to spare the Pleasants Power Station from closure. Now, if the plant closes, he worries he might have to lay some of his employees off. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet The Slow Down for the Holidays community service program has been in existence for many years and has been utilized on a limited number of occasions, Carr said. Pleasants County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Carr confirmed Wednesday his office is under investigation by the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel for its participation into the Slow Down for the Holidays program operated by the St. Marys Police Department and Pleasants County Sheriffs Department. The State Public Service Commission is deciding what should be done with the Pleasants Power Station. Superintendent Michael Wells said if the plant closes, the system could lose $1.3 million of that tax revenue annually, only some of which could be made up. Here is the entire, very brief AP story with sparse details He said, Weve known for many years that the coal-fired power plants in West Virginia will eventually shut down, and that its only a question of when. Bailey drove by the tower minutes before the disaster, on his way to visit his dad. And I said, Dad, I think you just lost a lot of friends, he said. The plant in Pleasants County is designed to produce 900 metric tons of high-purity methanol from natural gas each day. Jim Justice participates in an economic develop announcement with Lars Scott, executive vice president of West Virginia Methanol. Rodney Sayre, owner of St. Marys Hardware, said the announcement alone has hurt his business. The State Public Service Commission is deciding what should be done with the Pleasants Power Station. But staying might mean he has to commute hours away to support his family. This is a passive informational site providing organization of public data, obtainable by anyone. We want to try with all in us to find a methodology and a way to be able to keep that plant open.. WebPleasants County Schools 202 Fairview Dr St. Marys, WV 26170 (304) 684-2215 (304) 684-3569. Superintendent Michael Wells said if the plant closes, the 22-0793-E-ENEC can be sent to P.O. Latest trends. By Douglas Soule. He has served as editor-in-chief Originally slated for closure in 2018, Pleasants has received millions in bailouts from state Republican leaders that have extended its life for years. In an order posted early Monday evening, the PSC authorized Monongahela Power Co. and Potomac Edison Co. to continue negotiations with Texas-based Energy Transition and Environmental Management (ETEM) to finalize a letter of intent to maintain the power plant and keep the plants 154 workers employed beginning in June and ending May 2024. Pleasants County Schools 202 Fairview Dr St. Marys, WV 26170 (304) 684-2215 (304) 684-3569. Is it Pleasants Power Station or Fort Martin? - WV MetroNews Pleasants County, West Virginia Covid Case and Risk Tracker Jim Justice said Wednesday he still wants to see the Pleasants Power Plant near St. Marys saved, but it is up to the West Virginia Public Service Commission to decide whether it should be allowed to operate for another year with ratepayers picking up the tab. Oct 18, 2022. Next fiscal year, the Pleasants County school system is projected to collect around $6.7 million in taxes. The town of fewer than 2,000 sits on the banks of the Ohio River in Pleasants County. Per the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure, JIC matters are confidential unless the JIC issues an admonishment or formal charges have been brought, said Jennifer Bundy, public information officer for the state Supreme Court in a statement Tuesday. Thursday, April 27, will mark 45 years since 51 workers died when one of the plants cooling towers collapsed due to green concrete, considered one of the worst construction accidents in U.S. history at the time. He weighs 22 pounds. The chosen site formerly housed an industrial plant. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get accurate, non-partisan reporting on the politics and policies shaping our state. He wouldnt reveal any names, but said there have been three kinds of groups interested in the plant: companies that want to repurpose the facility as a hydrogen power plant, coal companies interested in keeping the plant powered by coal, and groups interested in doing the same but using the electricity for cryptocurrency mining. Mon Power officials told the commission that they need approval by next week to impose a $3 million a month surcharge on ratepayers to keep the Pleasants plant from shutting down at the end of May. The average customer would see an increase of $15 on their water bill under the proposed rates. But any good father, any good parent, would want to make sure their son or daughter had not necessarily the most expensive life, but be able to have a running start on life.. The West Virginia Public Service Commission is authorizing power companies to continue negotiating a potential purchase of the coal-fired Pleasants Power Station, which has a scheduled retirement date of May 31, 2023. The 1,300-megawatt plant burns more than half a million tons of coal annually and employs 154 direct employees not counting hundreds of union workers who service the plant each year and the coal miners who supply the plant. Forms . Forcing ratepayers to pay even more to keep an unprofitable plant open will only add to this burden. Live Feed . Cana Turner, 21, was allegedly behind the wheel of the car when it wrecked on Henry Camp Road. Pleasants One other delegate replied but said he didnt feel familiar enough with the full issue to be able to comment. Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, gave a brief floor speech in favor of the resolution on the day it passed the Senate. PARKERSBURG National Day of Prayer observances are planned around the Mid-Ohio Valley Thursday. In 2019, Gov. Van Nostrand said the news of the Pleasants plants possible closure seemed inevitable. The presentation reinforced in my mind how important it is to my constituents that we maintain electricity during these winter storms, he said. Proponents cited the crucial role the plant serves in Pleasants County by providing jobs and tax revenue. From: West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. So we polled local legislators and members of the Monongalia County Commission on the Fort Martin issue, including, for the legislators, whether knowing of the plants possible closure would have changed their vote. Lets give FirstEnergy/Mon Power the time necessary to complete their review and I will monitor the progress going forward.. The entire community was left in shock and mourning, with no choice but to keep moving forward. Now that the country is reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change, these plants will likely shut down even sooner. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the weight strength of the concrete had not been achieved, Keeping the Pleasants Power Station in operating condition, as Mon Power proposes to do, has a downside for state and local government. Pennsylvania received just five new permits, and some of those were reissued permits. Do Not Sell My Personal Information All but one local legislator voted in favor of their respective resolutions which the Senate adopted unanimously and the House adopted 93-2 and a handful responded to our request for comment. West Virginia PSC approves Pleasants Power Plant plan | News, WebPleasants County Schools . And I hope that this company invests in the community as well, he said. And West Virginia just a single new permit. An independent, civic news organization for West Virginia. But asked specifically, the companies said this week in an email exchange: As stated in the filing and in last weeks hearings, the companies are unable to make any recommendation on the purchase of the Pleasants plant and respectively whether Fort Martins status will be addressed as part of any recommendation, as we believe additional studies and analysis are required before a decision can be made., The two legislative resolutions urging Mon Power to buy Pleasants cite the economic advantages to the state. Ohio issued 10 new permits. The PSC will hold an evidentiary hearing at 9:30 a.m. April 21 at its headquarters in Charleston to consider a proposal from Mon Power and Potomac Edison for the plant. It has been a long process for us in selecting the ideal site for our flagship project, which we plan to be the first of many across the state, the region, and the world, said Lars Scott, executive vice president of West Virginia Methanol. Please reload the page and try again. Continue reading, All three M-U states received permits to drill new shale wells last week, but not a lot. West Virginias House of Delegates and State Senate have both passed resolutions to keep the Pleasants Power Plant near Saint Marys up and running. Continue reading, The West Virginia Dept. Nada. Jim Justice the next year, lawmakers rushed to approve $12.5 million in annual tax breaks to help keep the plant alive. Natalea Mumaw, 18, of Belmont, was struck and killed in the wreck on Route 16 near the intersection of Whaley Road in Ellenboro just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the Ritchie County Sheriffs Office. The Commission determines that it would be imprudent for the Companies to sit idly by while a large base load thermal power plant in their West Virginia service area, and that they once owned a portion of, is demolished without taking all steps possible to keep the plant operative, the PSC order stated. If were not generating that money, then were going to have to look at [cutting] anything from programs to potentially some positions, Wells said. Census Bureau QuickFacts Among them, Pleasants employs 154 people and provides $1.75 million annually to the county in property taxes. Delegate Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, said, I can assure you that in any discussions I was involved in, it was never mentioned that if they were to keep Pleasants Power Station open they would need to retire another plant. Okey Starsick, with the Parkersburg state police detachment. She is listed in the North Central Regional Jail as a pretrial felon. Jim Justice made the announcement Monday via livestream with company and local officials. Natalea Mumaw, a senior ST. MARYS, W.Va. A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday night for a Pleasants County high school senior who died in a head-on crash in Ritchie County over the weekend. Operating under the banner of West Virginians for Energy Freedom (WV4EF), they argue it is unfair to keep the plant open on the backs of ratepayers. I think we ought to let the PSC do their job and everything and let them dig into all the details, Justice said. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Brewers body was taken to the state medical examiners office for an autopsy, he said. The West Virginia Public Service Commission held a public comment hearing PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - The Pleasants County Schools community and others in the area are continuing to honor Natalea Mumaws memory. The PSC is accepting written and online public comments. The secondary schools those students attend could also take a hit. We scoured our own MDN archives. Authorities searching for person of interest in Huntington house fire. Kenneth W. Brewer, 74, was found dead after a fire was extinguished in the structure from which he shot at first responders as they were putting out another fire at a nearby trailer, Starsick said. The plant also represents the largest taxpayer in Pleasants County and is truly the heart and soul of the community.. Its considered the deadliest construction accident in United States history. 2023 An independent, civic news organization for West Virginia. Thats huge for Pleasants County, but not only that, 400 coal mining jobs supplying the plant with coal. In fact, Tomblin is so pro-drilling, hes looking to lease the land underneath the Ohio River for drilling! You can read our previous coverage of this story here. The company expects to make a final investment decision in the first half of 2021 with operations expected to commence as early as mid-2023. Chief Justice Evan Jenkins appointed Senior Status Magistrate Teresa Robinson to serve as magistrate in the county until 3rd Circuit Court Judge Tim Sweeney appointed replacement magistrates. Electric bills for West Virginia customers have gone up faster than in any other state in the country because our regulators have doubled down on coal when they should have been diversifying our fuel mix. Theres models for this. Powell said while hes worried about the future of the plant, hes a lot more hopeful now than when Energy Harbor announced the transition in March. CHARLESTON On the eve of an evidentiary hearing to decide whether ratepayers will have to shell out more money in order to keep the Pleasants Power plant idling, supporters and detractors of plan made their voices heard Thursday. Instead of dismissing traffic citations for $50 in gift cards or toys, the county was dismissing state criminal misdemeanor charges in magistrate court from citations for passing school buses all the way up to DUI charges for as much as $1,500. West Virginia RV campground debate raises questions over role of state parks, How we measured the environmental cost of bankrupt mines, In the game of musical mines, environmental damage takes a back seat. Heres an inside look at the challenges faced in tracking down who owns the mineral rights for a given piece of propertyespecially in WV where mineral rights were severed from surface rights for many landowners years ago Energy Harbor, which owns the coal-fired power plant in Pleasants County along the Ohio River, is going carbon-free so it has targeted the plant for closure at the end of May. sadams@newsandsentinel.com. Proposed rates from West Virginia American Water could mean more expensive water bills. If he loses his job at the plant, Renner doesnt plan to leave the county or move away from his family farm there. An economic boom followed. They just wanted the public to weigh in (to make it look good). We scoured the web. None of the 51 workers on the towers scaffolding at the time survived the collapse. First Energy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison are potentially interested in buying the plant. We alerted the PA Dept. Breaking News. In fact, it was one of the lowest overall number of permits issued in recent memory. Woods County Clerk Mark Rhodes says hes been told researchers have descended on neighboring Pleasants County (northeast of Woods) and that the crowd of researchers in Pleasants will migrate south to Woods in about six months. But he says its necessary to invest other resources in areas where the coal industry has been displaced, or soon will be. Both Nutter and Taylor resigned their magistrate positions on Aug. 13. Finally, West Virginia issued just 1 permit for new shale drilling last week. ST. MARYS The Pleasants County Solid Waste Authority will hold its annual electronics recycling collection from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Earth Day, at the Momentive Performance Materials Plant, 10851 Energy Highway, in Friendly. WebPleasants County Schools 202 Fairview Dr St. Marys, WV 26170 (304) 684-2215 (304) 684-3569. MORGANTOWN, W.Va.During the debate on whether or not Mon Power and Potomac Edison should buy Pleasants Power State and keep it running, whats not been discussed much is the possible accompanying closure of Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, outside Morgantown. The average customer would see an increase of $15 on their water bill under the proposed rates. And new emissions regulations have increased the expenses borne by coal-burning power plants. Bailey has lived in Pleasants County long enough to remember life before the power plant. His dad worked to build it: he was assigned to help erect one of its cooling towers, but was in the hospital on April 27, 1978, when the tower collapsed mid-construction. We dont have specific numbers, he said, but any shutdown will obviously affect our community in jobs and taxes. At the 2010 census, the population was 7,605, making it the third-least populous county in the He paused, excused his tears and took a deep breath. The students are going to have a greater financial need in order to go to college if their familys income is reduced.. Jim Justice announces historic state revenues for April 2023, Wood County Commission hears update on Parkersburg Home Consortium Program. CHARLESTON On the eve of an evidentiary hearing to decide whether ratepayers will have to shell out more money to keep the Pleasants Power plant idling, supporters and detractors of the plan made their voices heard Thursday. The Dominion Posts Ben Conley talked to Commissioner Tom Bloom, who said, The concern is, its given the appearance its one or the other, Pleasants or Fort Martin, rather than looking at both individually on its merits, and that worries us. Standing by and watching a coal-fired power plant close without trying to do anything to prevent it didnt make sense to me. Fort Martin however, employs about 180 people, according to the FirstEnergy fact sheet on the plant, and provides Mon County $3.4 million in annual property taxes 26 more employees and just shy of double what Pleasants pays. Those entities that have inquired have been very forthright, and said they would love for the workers that are there to continue to work for them, Powell said. Jim The victim of a fatal fire in Nicholas County was an elderly woman who lived alone. Authorities searching for person of interest in Huntington house fire. Further comment at this time cannot be made so that the investigation can be completed without impact from any form of printed or social media comment, Carr said. Our apologies that this latest weekly permit update is a day late. And the people who could lose their jobs from the plant and beyond might have to leave, creating a rip in the communitys social fabric. The Knowns and Unknowns of the WV Senate Race, The EPA Prepares To Go After Fossil Fuel Power Plants Again. CHARLESTON Gov. We need to plan ahead, Pepper said. I support the ongoing effort to preserve a predictable source of electricity. Beyond its 154 direct employees, the power plant employs thousands of temporary union workers during its maintenance periods, as well as coal miners in the Northern Panhandle who help supply the plant. Pleasants Copyright 2021 WTAP. The plant will no longer generate electricity, requiring new federal approvals in the future. Pleasants County prosecutor under investigation Methanol plants use a LOT of natural gas. In Pennsylvania, 19 new shale well permits were issued across the state. The Pleasants Power Station cranked up to 91 percent capacity during that period to help ensure the reliability of the grid. Pleasants County, WV News - Local News for Pleasants County, Methanol plants convert natural gas into methanol, used as a chemical feedstock (raw material) to create other things, like gasoline, antifreeze, plastic bottleseven LED and LCD screens. Filing confirms federal investigation in Pleasants County Mark Bailey sat at his desk, waiting for his next customer, as an employee used electric clippers on a mans gray hair. The fossil fuel has had new competition from other energy sources, like natural gas and renewables. West Virginia had three new permits, one in Pleasants County and two in Marshall County. We find that when balancing the interest of the current and future customers, the general interests of the States economy and interests of the companies, the Interim Solution Proposal is in the public interest and should be approved, the order continued. Brewer was found deceased upstairs,. This site does not charge for viewing any of our published data, and we do not accept payments of any kind. Obviously, youve got engineers, technicians and mechanics and all these specialty jobs down there [in the plant], said Pleasants County Commission President Jay Powell. Weve been blessed with multiple inquiries, he said of companies that are interested in lengthening the plants life. On April 27, 1978, 51 men climbed the scaffolding of their workplace to continue the upward construction of a cooling tower at the Willow Island Power Station in Pleasants County. The companies are seeking an order from the PSC no later than April 25 authorizing the companies to enter into a letter of intent with Texas-based Energy Transition and Environmental Management to operate the plant from June to May 2024. As a nonprofit, we rely on your help to power our journalism. Superintendent: Michael Wells ; Schools . In the Bible, he said, it says we shouldnt worry about tomorrow. We are committed to lifting up voices that arent always heard and spotlighting solutions that are making a difference. The program also solicits monetary donations and fundraisers. Pleasants Pleasants County Arrest Info; Some of the cities, towns, and places in Pleasants County are Arvilla, Calcutta, City of Belmont, City of St. Marys, Hebron, Pine Grove, Vaucluse Pleasants County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. On the eve of a deadline set by two FirstEnergy subsidiaries, the West Virginia Public Service Commission gave its approval Monday for the plan that will keep the Pleasants Power Plant warmed up and its workers employed for 12 months, while ratepayers pick up the tab. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Ill be getting more and more details. Continue reading, West Virginia Gov. Responders at the scene indicated he had set both fires, but its still under investigation, he said. With its local coal mine gone and its power plant soon to follow, the company owning both agreed to provide $55 million over a decade to fund an economic transition. It wouldnt be like the cupboard is bare by any means, he said. Its already stressful, he said, owning a small hardware store and having to compete against larger chains like Home Depot and Lowes. According to WV4EF, customers of Mon Power and Potomac Edison have seen their electric rates increase by 50 percent over a 15-year period. Severance tax revenue was a large part of the budget surplus the state accumulated last year. They are pro-drilling, by and large, and when they get an idea, they run with it. The PSC gave the companies until March 31 to submit a report to the commission on the feasibility of purchasing Pleasants Power separate from an approved $91.9 million increase in the Expanded Net Energy Costs surcharge at the end of 2022. ST. MARYS, W.Va. (WTAP) - A woman is behind bars Monday after Pleasants County authorities said she left the scene of a fatal wreck on Friday. If the Pleasants plant could compete in the free market, they wouldnt be shutting it down.. Not on the WV DEP website. Ohio received four permits. When the records room for a given county starts to be overrun with researchers, thats a sure sign that Marcellus (or Utica) Shale drilling is on the way. Copyright 2023 West Virginia MetroNews Network. The PSC announced Wednesday evening that it would also hold a public comment hearing at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the PSC headquarters at 201 Brooks Street in Charleston. Pleasants
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