CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission has granted a siting certificate for a planned $3.3 billion natural-gas turbine power plant in Doddridge County.
The PSC announced Monday that its approved the site at Blandville for the CPV Shay project. The commission decided to cancel a public comment hearing and two-day evidentiary hearing, both set for next week.
“West Virginia is pleased to welcome yet another business to our state,” PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane said.
Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) announced its plans for the plant in September 2022. The company is taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act that expands 45Q federal tax credit for carbon capture.
The plant, which will be called Shay No. 5 after the steam locomotive at Cass Scenic Railroad, will contain a 2,060 MW combined-cycle natural gas power station utilizing carbon capture technology, CPV said.
“CPV is pleased to announce the selection of Doddridge County and looks forward to working with its leaders to advance this monumental project in the coming years,” CPV Executive Vice President of Project Development Peter Podurgiel said in a news release last fall. “The County has been extremely professional and receptive to the CPV Shay project which represents a key pillar in CPV’s vision for a reliable low carbon future.”
Monday’s PSC news release said CPV is not a West Virginia public utility, and has told the commission that the construction and operation of the combined facilities will not impact West Virginia ratepayers. The electricity produced will go to the electricity grid.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the latter part of 2025. The company continues to seek several other required approvals for the plant.
The project will also include a 9-mile, 500-kilovolt high-voltage line that will go to Mon Power’s Flint Run substation.
There will be 1,300 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs created, CPV has said.