By Fred Pace, HD Media
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Three companies plan to invest $219 million in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced Wednesday afternoon at the state Chamber of Commerce’s annual business summit in White Sulphur Springs.
The largest investment will be made by Babcock & Wilcox, a global leader in energy and environmental technologies.
“They are making a $125 million investment in Mason County,” Justice said. He did not say where in Mason County B&W might locate, but indicated as many as 28 jobs would be created initially.
The company’s investment will focus on the deployment of its BrightLoop low-carbon hydrogen technology.
“They will be making hydrogen out of coal,” Justice said.
Justice said the company’s hydrogen production technology uses a novel chemical looping process to produce low-carbon hydrogen, steam, or syngas while isolating carbon dioxide for capture and storage.
“This investment could blossom into a $1 billion investment,” the governor said. “This investment not only creates jobs, but also positions West Virginia to continue being the leader in the energy industry.”
