Sumer Shaikh. 774-545-0128. sumer.shaikh@sierraclub.org
Charleston, WV--FirstEnergy subsidiaries Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison have rejected conditions that the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) imposed for the transfer of the Pleasants Power Station. Additionally, the companies will not seek rehearing of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order that rejected the transfer for not being consistent with the public interest. These decisions put into the question the fate of the coal plant, raising the possibility that it could soon retire.
The transfer of Pleasants to Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison, both regulated utilities, from Allegheny Energy Supply Co., an unregulated subsidiary of FirstEnergy, would have shifted the costs of operating the coal-fired power plant onto West Virginia customers, a move that would guarantee profits for FirstEnergy shareholders rather than requiring dirty coal to compete with more competitive energy resources.
Sierra Club and partners intervened in opposition to the transfer and Sierra Club was represented before the PSC by the public interest law firm Appalachian Mountain Advocates. The PSC conditionally approved the transfer, but with an order designed to protect ratepayers from the market risks of owning and operating the uneconomic plant. In addition to those market risks, the operation of the nearly 40-year-old coal plant continues to present significant health risks to surrounding communities and the environment.
In response, Laura Yokochi, Energy Efficiency Campaign Team Leader of the West Virginia Sierra Club chapter, released the following statement:
“FirstEnergy’s decision to reject the conditions of PSC for a ownership transfer solidifies how uneconomic the Pleasants Station has become and how far FirstEnergy is willing to go to force electricity customers to pay exorbitant bills to scratch out a profit from it.
The Pleasants Plant is better suited for the 19th century, not the 21st. We now have cutting edge technologies, such as solar, wind, and energy efficiency, which should play a part in stabilizing the region's economy and creating new employment opportunities. FirstEnergy must develop a fair transition plan for its workers and embrace the rapidly growing clean energy economy."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.