Charleston, W. Va. – The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) praised FirstEnergy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), filed today with the West Virginia Public Service Commission, which includes the company’s proposal to build 1.2 GW of new natural gas-fired power generation in the state.

FirstEnergy’s proposal can power more than a million homes and recognizes the critical role West Virginia natural gas must play in meeting today’s rapidly growing energy needs, ensuring reliability, and keeping energy affordable for residents and businesses.

“We applaud First Energy for recognizing that natural gas is the fuel of our future and key to keeping energy affordable and reliable for West Virginia consumers,” said Charlie Burd, President of GO-WV. “This announcement is a strong step toward putting more of West Virginia’s own natural gas resources to work here at home. The most practical resource to achieve Governor Morrisey’s ambitious power generation plan, natural gas delivers the affordable, baseload power our modern economy requires and our residents deserve.”

West Virginia’s Opportunity

  • West Virginia ranks in the top #5 for natural gas production in the nation, yet less than 2% of the state’s electricity comes from natural gas.
  • Natural gas offers a local, cleaner, and more efficient baseload power source to guarantee reliability and affordability.
  • Neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Ohio have already tapped their gas reserves for in-state power generation, attracting hundreds of billions of dollars in investment while strengthening their economies.

“West Virginia shouldn’t be left behind,” Burd added. “We’re optimistic this project is one of many natural gas power plants to be built in West Virginia as this resource is key to energy security today and the economic opportunities of tomorrow.”

GO-WV will continue to advocate for policies that harness West Virginia’s abundant natural gas to power homes, businesses, and industries across the Mountain State.

Leaders from across West Virginia’s natural gas sector also weighed in to applaud this announcement and the broad benefits natural gas power generation provides. Here’s what they’re saying:

  • Morgan O’Brien, President & CEO, Hope Gas: “With abundant and affordable natural gas right below our feet, it makes sense to add this natural resource to the already important and valuable West Virginia coal plants to create additional power the families across West Virginia and our region need for their everyday lives. In addition, energy is a necessary component for economic development, and I applaud First Energy for the actions they are taking to power the future growth of the Mountain State.”
  • Toby Rice, President & CEO, EQT Corp.: “EQT applauds First Energy for this critical step in bringing quality jobs, affordable energy and stronger security for the United States through this new natural gas power plant, located right here in the Mountain State.”
  • Rusty Hutson, Co-Founder & CEO, Diversified Energy: “New natural gas power is great news for West Virginia. Our communities need dependable power that is available at all times, regardless of conditions, for homes, businesses, and the new industries like AI that are driving growth. Natural gas is the only fuel that can deliver that reliability while creating good jobs and boosting local tax revenue. This project is a win for West Virginia and our future.”
  • Michael Kennedy, CEO, Antero Resources: “As West Virginia’s largest gas producer, we applaud this move toward more demand in the state for natural gas. West Virginia is the 4th largest gas producer in the nation but 45th in power generation from gas. Our industry’s contribution to the state’s jobs, tax revenue, and royalty payments can only increase with more utilization in the state.”
  • Tina Faraca, Executive Vice President & COO, TC Energy: “An affordable, reliable, and more competitive energy future for West Virginia depends on natural gas. This proposal marks a critical step toward strengthening West Virginia’s energy security, driving economic growth and ensuring families and businesses have the power they need well into the future.”