Moundsville Power praises Marshall County Commission action

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. – Moundsville Power LLC Managing Partner Andrew Dorn said Wednesday that he is delighted that the Marshall County Commission has officially approved his company’s PILOT proposal to build a 549-megawatt, privately-financed natural gas power plant in the county.

Dorn praised the commissioners’ cooperation in bringing jobs and revenue to Marshall County, as well as their diligence in thoroughly examining Moundsville Power’s proposal.  “We are very appreciative to the County Commission and to the people of Marshall County. Moundsville Power also wishes to express special thanks to Don Rigby and his staff at the Regional Economic Development Partnership for their support of this project.”

During this morning’s regular weekly meeting, the Marshall County Commission approved the terms of PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and lease agreements between Moundsville Power and Marshall County. The plan calls for Moundsville Power to pay Marshall County an average of roughly $1 million a year for the next 30 years, in exchange for the rights to operate the combined-cycle power plant on a site south of Moundsville.

The site was formally the location of Allied Chemical and is now being rehabilitated for industrial use.  Approximately 37 acres of the site will be used for the project and has already been rehabilitated.
 
“I am extremely pleased that we have received the approval of the Marshall County Commission. From the beginning of this process, the commissioners have been engaged and have asked all the right questions. It has been obvious that the commission wants to bring jobs and opportunities for the people of Marshall County,” Dorn said.

“Now, we are happy that we can move forward with what I feel certain will be an outstanding partnership for many, many years.”

The Moundsville Power plant will be West Virginia’s first combined-cycle power plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015, with power generation starting in 2018.  

Natural gas combined-cycle power plants are energy-efficient, clean-burning manufacturing facilities that utilize both natural gas and steam turbines.  GE, the world’s largest manufacturer of power plant turbines and generators, will provide the natural gas turbines and power island equipment.  GE will also provide a long-term contractual services agreement to ensure the efficient operation of the power project.

The plant will utilize $105 million of natural gas annually sourced from West Virginia producers and processors.  The annual economic impact during construction would be in excess of $815 million and utilize hundreds of union labor jobs during construction.