WHITE SULFUR SPRINGS, W.Va (WV News) – Representatives of some of West Virginia’s largest energy producers recently participated in an indirect discussion about the current state of their industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces on the horizon.
Officials from Antero Resources, Dominion Energy and Diversified Energy spoke with participants at the annual meeting of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce at a panel meeting chaired by West Virginia Public Service Commission Charlotte Lane.
Lane, who was appointed to lead PCC in July 2019, said the agency, which is tasked with overseeing the state’s public utilities, has the potential to influence growth and development in the energy industry.
“The right decisions from the PCC can boost economic growth, stimulate the economy, keep jobs and increase the tax base in the state.”
LCC said PCC is committed to keeping state-owned coal-fired factories open for at least a decade.
“It’s important for grid security and for the protection of taxpayers,” she said. “We don’t want to ignore the importance of wind farms or solar power, but it’s important to keep our coal-burning generation going, because we have to keep the grid safe. We need to maintain the flexibility of the grid, and it is important for our ratings and lighting to be on, as well as for national security.
Maribet Anderson, director of public relations for Antero Resources, said his company is now in a “good position” and that there are currently three gas stations operating.
“One in Tyler, one in Vettel and one in Noble County, Ohio. Two hundred and fifty workers and thousands of additional contractors on bridges, ”he said. “Look at 2020 for one company, Antero Resources: $ 357 million in royalties in West Virginia, $ 100 million in western Virginia, $ 18 million on the road – all in West Virginia and all by 2020. And that’s just one company.
Estimates indicate that the vast oil and gas industry supports more than 80,000 jobs in West Virginia.
“So the future of West Virginia must be strong because it has to be – a lot of people depend on it,” he said. “We promote policy initiatives; We increase our side length, We communicate better and better, and we have to be because we will be better.
Catherine Bond, vice president of public policy and government affairs for Dominion Energy, said the company has been operating in West Virginia since 1898.
“We have thousands of miles of pipelines,” he said. “We generate electricity from a hurricane. It is a 1,600 MW facility, as well as a wind farm. All told, we serve about 450,000 customers at the highest level.
Although the country continues to duplicate its power makeup, the company is committed to maintaining energy security, Bond said.
“To meet the expectations of our customers, in terms of transition and also in terms of reliability and affordability,” he said. “That’s why we, at our Virginia Hybrid Energy Center, are planning to continue working on this mountain storm in Bat County, Virginia, and here in West Virginia.
Paul Espanan, vice president of environment, health and safety for Flexible Energy, said his company has “grown incredibly in recent years.”
“Our attitude has always been, ‘What will happen next to West Virginia? >he said. The future I see for West Virginia is one of growth, especially for the natural gas industry.
In the coming years, natural gas will play an increasingly important role in the state’s energy industry, he said.
But he says it has to be done very well. So we take a lot of steps to make sure they are spilled and rare.
It may be that we have put together a wide range of energy and policy components, perhaps focusing on coal, gas and renewables in the future, and a comprehensive plan for West Virginia. “She said. I think reactivating a government official is the perfect tool to do that.”
Senior Staff Writer Charles Young can be reached at 304-626-1447 or cyoung@theet.com
.