July 13, 2026 - The United Mine Workers of America will voice opposition Wednesday to a proposed $2.48 billion natural gas-fired power plant in Monongalia County, arguing the project could threaten thousands of coal jobs across West Virginia.

UMWA members from across the state are expected to attend the West Virginia Public Service Commission’s public comment hearing Wednesday regarding Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s proposal to construct a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant at the Fort Martin Power Station.

UMWA International President Brian Sanson is scheduled to provide testimony before the PSC on Thursday, July 16.

The union is opposing an application filed by Monongahela Power Co. and The Potomac Edison Co., subsidiaries of FirstEnergy, seeking approval for the gas plant along with three solar projects totaling 70 megawatts of generation capacity.

The solar projects would be located at Valley Point near Albright in Preston County, near Davis in Tucker County and near Weirton. The combined estimated cost of the solar projects is $182 million.

According to the companies’ application, the projects are intended to address an anticipated electricity generation capacity shortfall beginning in 2029.

The companies are seeking an initial surcharge to help fund the projects, which would increase average customer bills by about 0.9%, or approximately $1.18 per month.

UMWA officials argue the proposal would come at the expense of coal miners and communities that depend on the industry. The union said FirstEnergy has announced plans to close the existing Fort Martin coal-fired power plant if the gas project is approved.

The company also has indicated it may pursue a second large natural gas plant, according to the UMWA, which the union said could accelerate the decline of the state’s coal industry.

“We will fight to protect the jobs of thousands of coal miners and the communities they live in,” Sanson said. “This proposed gas plant petition is an absolute betrayal of the families who have given their lives powering this nation.”

Sanson said the project would eliminate coal jobs while increasing electric costs for West Virginians.

“FirstEnergy is asking West Virginians to accept the elimination of thousands of jobs and to pay higher electric bills in order to provide record profits to their out-of-state investors and the billionaire owners of the data centers who will benefit from this proposed gas plant,” he said.

The UMWA also questioned the projected cost of the project, saying the proposal does not include certain compliance expenses and relies in part on a U.S. Department of Energy loan. The union said those factors could add billions of dollars to the project’s cost, which could be passed on to ratepayers.

Supporters of the project have said it would create jobs and provide additional revenue for the state. The UMWA disputes those claims, saying the facility would create only about 30 to 40 permanent jobs once operational while replacing thousands of coal-related jobs.

The union also said replacing coal generation with natural gas could result in the loss of nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue tied to the coal industry.

“The natural gas and data center lobbyists and the politicians in their pockets don’t care about the massive job loss and economic devastation that will be caused by replacing coal with gas,” Sanon said. “They don’t care about miners losing their jobs, health care and black lung benefits.”

The PSC hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at the PSC hearing room at 201 Brooks St. in Charleston. The hearing will be available both in person and virtually.

Those wishing to participate virtually must register with the PSC by 4 p.m. Friday, July 10, through the Microsoft Teams meeting link at https://bit.ly/wvpsc20260715.

Residents may also register by contacting Alexis Weimer at 304-340-0822, Andrew Gallagher at 304-340-0820, or by emailing aweimer@psc.state.wv.us or agallagher@psc.state.wv.us.

Written comments may be submitted to the PSC Executive Secretary at P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323, or online through the PSC website by selecting “Submit a Comment.” All comments should reference Case No. 26-0108-E-CN.