US DOE to Loan West Virginia Utilities $1.44B to Extend Life of 6 High-Cost Coal Plants - CleanTechnica

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a $1.44 billion loan to West Virginia utility companies to refurbish six coal-fired power plants, extending their operational lives by up to 20 years. This funding, part of a broader initiative that includes expanding fossil fuel infrastructure with new and upgraded gas plants, will ultimately be paid for by West Virginia residents through increased electric bills over decades. The refurbishment aims to sustain coal power despite its declining competitiveness and significant public health impacts. Critics, including the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, argue that these investments are short-sighted and financially burdensome for ratepayers, as many of the coal plants operate less than half the time due to competition from cheaper energy sources. The Sierra Club highlights the health consequences of coal plants, which currently cause hundreds of hospital visits and dozens of deaths annually within West Virginia, as well as hundreds of deaths in neighboring states. They advocate for a transition to cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective energy