By Charles Young, WV News
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey detailed a host of recent energy announcements Thursday during the annual Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston.
In addition to Diversified Energy’s recently announced well-plugging partnership with the state and FirstEnergy’s plans to build a new gas-fired power plant in West Virginia, the governor discussed investments by two West Virginia-based companies.
Ergon in Newell is planning a $400 million expansion. The family-owned energy company will create 25 new jobs and retain 240 existing positions while becoming the first participant in the state’s new Power Tech workforce training program.
Bidell Gas Compression in Weirton will invest $7 million. With support from a $1 million performance-based loan from the state, Bidell will expand its Weirton facility and add 80 new manufacturing jobs.
Morrisey also said his state has identified refurbishment projects estimated to cost around $1.4 billion at six coal-fired power plants in the state it hopes can be funded by a recently announced U.S. Department of Energy loan program.
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