Over 300 West Virginians Voice Concerns Over $1.44B DOE Coal Bail-out to Governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In the past month, 304 West Virginians have submitted comments to Governor Patrick Morrisey expressing concerns over a $1.44 billion U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan to West Virginia utilities to refurbish six unnamed coal-fired power plants, extending their lives by up to 20 years. Regardless of how long the plants manage to continue operating, payments on the DOE loan will be passed on to West Virginians' electric bills for decades.

At the time of the announcement, no information was given to the public on what plants and utilities would receive funds or how energy bills would be impacted. In an effort to obtain a detailed list of the six plants set to receive loans, as well as information on the cost and the specific upgrades proposed at each plant, Sierra Club submitted FOIA requests to the West Virginia Office of Energy and the Governor's Office. According to both offices, most of the "public records within the scope" of the Sierra Club's FOIA request are, "exempt from disclosure."

In addition to being expected to blindly fund the loan repayments, West Virginians will also shoulder the health burdens of extended air and water pollution.

Personal comments written by outraged Sierra Club supporters from across West Virginia are listed below with permission from the authors:

"Do not refurbish outdated coal fired power plants," said Donna from Morgantown, WV. "They are not worth the investment. Let's support clean, efficient energy projects."

"West Virginians do not need higher electric bills," said Jennie from Elkins, WV. "Has a plan been made to repay $1.44 billion back to the Department of Energy? Do what is right for West Virginians who cannot afford all the higher costs for insurance, groceries, gas, etc."

"As a nurse, I find it appalling that a governor would consider the deaths of his constituents from breathing pollution an acceptable consequence of continuing to utilize coal fired power plants," said Amy from Dunmore, WV. "As a consumer, I am appalled that a governor would cause his constituents to pay higher utility bills to support a dying coal industry that is literally causing the planet to have heat waves, extreme weather events, and loss of life."

"As new residents of West Virginia, we are very disappointed in this plan," said Tracy from Shepherdstown, WV. "Coal plants do not belong in today's West Virginia due to the harm they cause people, animals, and the environment. Instead, alternate forms of energy, such as solar and wind, are sustainable, renewable, and clean, and can bring much-needed revenue and benefits to the state."

"What we have here is a politician taking out a loan in our name, but we are not allowed to know who gets the money, what it is for, how much profit they will make, or how much we have to pay back," said Jim Kotcon, Sierra Club West Virginia Conservation Chair.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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 https://www.sierraclub.org.