West Virginia regulators review power grid and coal plant rules

The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) is evaluating significant changes to the state's energy infrastructure and utility regulations. During evidentiary hearings, PSC officials questioned the necessity of the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL), a proposed $1.17 billion, 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line. The project, proposed by NextEra Energy Transmission LLC, aims to connect Pennsylvania through West Virginia to Virginia to meet the rising electricity demands of Northern Virginia's data centers.

Separately, the PSC has issued proposed rules regarding coal-fired power plant capacity and maintenance, following the passage of House Bill 2014. These rules require utilities such as American Electric Power and FirstEnergy to maintain coal-fired units and aim for a minimum net capacity factor of 69%, provided these requirements do not increase rates for residential or industrial customers. The regulations are intended to support the state's new data center districts and ensure reliable power generation as regional demand shifts.