April 23, 2019

A statewide consortium of West Virginia newspapers featured the Harrison Power Station and its $1 billion economic impact on North Central West Virginia.

The article, featured in the April 13 edition of WVNews, noted that Harrison is among the nation’s cleanest coal-fired power production facilities, and is one of the area’s leading employers.

The article noted also that during maintenance outages, such as the one currently ongoing at Harrison Unit 2, employment increases dramatically. “Often, these are ironworkers, boilermakers, insulators and other trades workers from local union halls. A typical maintenance outage might employ around 400 supplemental personnel,” said Harrison Plant Director Gary Dinzeo.

In addition, the article highlights the plant’s environment controls, noting that nearly $1 billion has been invested in environmental control systems, including scrubber modules that remove more than 98 percent of sulfur dioxide from emissions and the Selective Catalytic Reduction systems that remove 90 percent or more of the nitrogen oxide from emissions. The current Unit 2 maintenance outage includes the installation of new booster fans to ensure the continued efficient operation of sulfur dioxide removal systems. A similar upgrade was performed on Unit 1 during a maintenance outage last fall.

With all of its coal coming directly from a locally operated mine, Harrison generates enough energy to power nearly two million homes, helping West Virginia become a net power exporter, sending 36 percent of electricity generated within its border to other states.

The article is one of two written recently featuring FirstEnergy’s cmmitment to the state. Another aticle took an in-depth look at Mon Power and Potomac Edison, and their plans to spend a combined $51 million on W.Va. infrastructure improvement projects in 2019.

The WVNews group includes the State Journal statewide business newspaper, as well as newspaper and web outlets in Clarksburg, Weston, Fairmont, Bridgeport and Morgantown.

Turbine valve work during the ongoing Unit 2 maintenance outage at the Harrison Power Station.