Ohio-based American Electric Power's operating unit Appalachian Power has received permission from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to build a 629MW integrated gasification combined cycle electric generating plant in the US state of West Virginia.
The Public Service Commission of West Virginia (WVPSC) has granted Appalachian Power a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the plant, which will be located beside the company’s existing Mountaineer plant near New Haven, West Virginia. Appalachian Power filed for the certificate on January 12, 2006. The plant’s estimated cost is approximately $2.23 billion.
In addition to the West Virginia filing, Appalachian Power has filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) for approval to recover the Virginia share of carrying costs associated with the plant and has filed for an environmental permit from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP).
The Virginia SCC is expected to rule on the integrated gasification combined cycle electric generating (IGCC) plant in April 2008. American Electric Power (AEP) continues to work with WVDEP to complete the air-permitting process. From the time construction begins, it will require approximately 48 to 54 months to complete the IGCC unit.
Michael Morris, AEP’s chairman and CEO, said: It is critical for our nation and the world that we move forward with advanced, cleaner technologies that allow us to continue to use coal for electricity generation. With IGCC generation, we can continue to rely on our nation’s and West Virginia’s abundant coal resources as a generating fuel with fewer emissions and less impact on our environment.