Mike, Josh, et al.
In 2009, then Governor Manchin pushed through what he called an "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard". This allowed utilities to claim various coal and gas facilities as "alternative fuels. At the time, we criticized the bill because it was so weak that we did not think it required utilities to do anything. Allegheny Energy on Dec. 30 filed their "Plan" with the WV PSC which states:
"Mon Power and Potomac Edison anticipate they will generate enough credits based upon currently available resources for the 15- year term that no additional development, purchase or procurement will be necessary."
(See We Told You So!)
The report lists the following as producing alternative energy credits:
"The generating units identified for the production of credits include units owned by Mon Power including Bath County Pumped Hydro, Albright #3 and Willow Island #2 all of which have been, or will be, submitted for certification in accordance with Section 5 of the Order. Additionally, Mon Power takes service from three (3) Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”) facilities including the Grant Town project (“Grant Town”), the West Virginia University project (‘WVU”) and the Hannibal Lock & Dam project (“Hannibal”)."
As you can see, all of Allegheny's credits will be coming from coal-fired plants. No actual renewables are involved. Later in the Plan, Allegheny does describe some minimal energy efficiency efforts and they indicate they plan to get these certified for credits under WV's requirements.
I am curious why Albright Unit 3 qualifies as an "Alternative" source. The bill does allow some generation from "Supercritical" as well as "Advanced supercritical" and "Ultrasupercritical" boilers to qualify as "Alternative" fuels.
Is it worth intervening before the PSC to argue that Albright is likely to be shut down, and that Allegheny needs to make "real" investments in renewables and energy efficiency? Deadline to Intervene is Feb. 7. Intervenor testimony is due May 3.
Jim Kotcon
Allegheny's Plan is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID...'
The PSC Order giving Public Notice is at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID...'