CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — A multibillion-dollar economic development project will be announced Friday in Charleston, and sources have indicated it will be a natural-gas-fired power plant in Doddridge County.
A press advisory sent Thursday afternoon fueled speculation, especially when sources indicated to WV News that the project was said to be a power plant in North Central West Virginia.
The advisory came from a private public relations firm but listed Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Jim Justice and state Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael as the officials expected to be on hand for the announcement.
Several sources indicated the project will cost around $3 billion.
WOWK-TV out of Charleston-Huntington reported that sources told it there could be several thousand construction jobs and eventually 200 full-time jobs once the plant is operating.
WOWK-TV also was the first to report that the plant will be operated by CPV Shay, a Silver Spring, Maryland-based energy company.
A check with the Secretary of State’s Office shows that CPV Shay is registered to conduct business in the Mountain State, having registered in 2019.
The company’s website says it is “dedicated to increasing America’s energy sustainability by providing safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible electric power. To achieve our goal, we focus on optimizing existing resources ….”
CPV Shay’s website shows nine current projects in operation, construction or planning. It does not list a site in West Virginia, but the company has facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois.
Six of the projects appear to be gas- or steam-fired turbines, while two are solar and one is wind-powered. If CPV Shay is developing the West Virginia project in the cost range of $3 billion, it appears it would be the company’s largest undertaking.
If Doddridge County is the site, it is a logical selection. Doddridge has been either the top gas-producing county or one of the top five since the natural gas industry focused on the Marcellus Shale Appalachian basin.