Published: April 7, 2021 |

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First Energy’s Harrison Power Station had a direct economic impact of $596.8 million to Harrison County in 2019, according to a study published by the Bureau of Business & Economic Research at the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics.

The power station, located on a 1,400-acre site in the unincorporated community of Haywood, directly employed 414 workers and paid an estimated $73 million in employee compensation in 2019.

Additionally, Harrison Power Station, which is the largest user of coal in the state, was responsible for approximately $23 million in state and local tax revenue, according to the study.

The study estimates the power station generated more than $517.5 million in secondary economic impact and an additional 1,066 jobs, equating to another $105 million in employee compensation.

“This study highlights just how profoundly important mining and coal-fired power facilities are to Harrison County, as well as West Virginia’s workforce, local communities and overall economy,” said Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association.

According to the study, the mining and coal-fired power generation industries in West Virginia combined to account for 33,000 jobs, $2.8 billion in employee compensation, $611 million in state and local tax revenues and $13.9 billion in total economic activity in 2019. The industries supported 17 percent of the state’s total economic output, or one out of every six dollars generated.

Dr. John Deskins, Bureau of Business & Economic Research director, said the total economic impact of coal mining does not end at the mine — it goes far beyond the portal and upstream through the business economy.

“Despite production declines in recent years, coal remains a very important part of West Virginia’s economy, as illustrated in our research. Coal continues to support a sizable share of the state’s economic output and thousands of high-paying jobs,” Deskins said.

West Virginia’s eight coal-fired power plants are among the most modern and efficient electricity generators found anywhere in the world, Hamilton said.

“Not only are these facilities responsible for a big piece of our economy, but they also continue to provide low-cost, uninterrupted power to millions of consumers in West Virginia and our surrounding states,” Hamilton said.

“Given the results of this study and the contribution of these plants to grid security and resiliency, and homeland security, it is inconceivable that extreme environmental groups and other organizations, similar to the Biden administration, want to see these facilities close prematurely or transition away from coal,” Hamilton added.

Source: WV News

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