First Energy planning to replace coal plants in W.Va. with natural gas [View all]

HAYWOOD, W.Va (WDTV) - First Energy announced during their fourth quarter earnings presentation on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that there are plans to shut down 2 Mon Power coal plants in favor of natural gas.

“We have about 3,000 megawatts of coal powered generation that’s going to be retired - that’s planned to be retired, whether that happens or not - between 2035 and 2040,” said First Energy President and CEO, Brian Tierney.

The Harrison plant in Harrison County and the Fort Martin plant in Monongalia County are scheduled to shut down within the next 15 years; however, the replacement natural gas facilities are expected to begin being constructed within the next 5 years.

5 News reached out to First Energy for comment. They confirmed that they are developing new “dispatchable generation” in West Virginia, and that they are in the early stages of the planning process.

https://www.wdtv.com/2025/03/03/first-energy-planning-replace-coal-plants-wva-with-natural-gas/