VIRGINIA BALKS ON SURCHARGE TO BUILD MASON COUNTY POWER PLANT

(04/16/2008)
Virginia authorities are balking at the construction of a $2.23 billion clean coal power plant in Mason County, West Virginia.

The Virginia Commission had a problem with the estimated cost for the plant, calling the proposal an 'extraordinary risk.'

The Virginia group did not agree on a monthly surcharge that would be added to customer bills during the four years it would take to build the site.

West Virginia's Public Service Commission has approved the project and the surcharge.

The plant would turn coal into gas. It's a process that company officials say would help with the removal of pollutants.

Approval from Virginia regulators is needed because Appalachian customers in Virginia will help pay for the plant to be built.

Apparently some of the terms and conditions will be reviewed and a new effort will be made to see approval in Virginia.