Mon Power and Potomac Edison have applied to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) for approval to undertake a multi-year environmental compliance program at the companies’ two regulated power plants –  Fort Martin and Harrison. The approximately $142-million program would consist of new wastewater treatment projects at the plants to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s effluent limitation guideline (ELG) requirements.

If approved, the companies would complete the work by the end of 2025, reducing the environmental impact of the two facilities. The upgrades also support the continued operation of Fort Martin and Harrison beyond the 2025 compliance deadline, until their anticipated retirement dates of 2035 and 2040, respectively.

“The proposed upgrades will create local jobs and allow us to continue to operate our plants into the next decade for the benefit of our customers in West Virginia, while also minimizing their impact on the environment,” said Jim Myers, president, West Virginia Operations.

The cost of the improvements would be funded through a ratepayer surcharge that would start at 51 cents per month for the average residential customer in West Virginia when the first projects are implemented in 2024.

Fort Martin and Harrison were placed into service in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and such plants historically have an average life span of approximately 60 years. The future retirement of either facility would be subject to commission review and approval.

In the years ahead, FirstEnergy will evaluate the most reliable and cost-effective ways to replace the significant capacity of the plants. The two plants generate 3,080 megawatts (MWs) of power combined.

Last year, FirstEnergy announced a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of its comprehensive climate strategy, the company conveyed its intent to thoughtfully transition its generation fleet within that time frame.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison recently submitted an application to the PSC to build five utility-scale solar energy projects throughout the companies’ West Virginia service territory that would generate 50 MWs of clean, renewable energy.