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West Virginia Public Service Commission closes Pleasants power plant case

CHARLESTON -- A case involving the Pleasants Power Station before the West Virginia Public Service Commission has been closed, the commission said.

Officials announced on Wednesday the closed plant has been re-fired and burning coal until the new owners, Omnis Fuel Technology of Texas, converts it to clean-burning hydrogen.

The commission in December as part of the proceedings concerning the plant asked the parties involved for a report on the potential purchase of the plant located south of St. Marys.

The issue is moot because of the sale, the commission.

Omnis on Aug. 1 closed the deal to buy the plant constructed in 1979 from Energy Transition and Environmental Management of Texas. The facility will be converted to clean-burning hydrogen and was renamed Quantum Pleasants.

"This case should be closed because Omnis has purchased Pleasants and issues related to Pleasants are now moot," the order said.

Gov. Jim Justice announced at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce summit the plant is again producing electricity, possibly the first time in the country a coal-fired plant to retrofitted, at the state Chamber of Commerce annual summit meeting.

The 1,300 mw plant, which employs about 150 people, was to shut down in 2018. Deactivation was delayed until 2019 after the Legislature passed a tax break for the facility.

Electricity was generated at the plant until May.