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Coal Leaders urge for Century Restart
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
The President of the West Virginia Coal Association is supporting an agreement which would pave the way for the reopening of Century Aluminum in Ravenswood. Bill Raney recently penned a letter to the PSC asking for a favorable ruling on a utility rate which would allow the plant to reopen.
"When it comes back on line, that's going to mean positive things not only for Ravenswood, but it reaches deeply into the coalfields," said Raney.
It makes a huge difference because Century, before the shutdown, was Appalachian Power Company's largest customer. The Century operation used 10-percent of all the power generated by AEP. Most of that power was generated by coal. Raney hopes it will continue to be.
"We're hopeful it's going to continue to be coal generated electricity that supplies that plant once it comes back on line," said Raney.
The hope comes amid a difficult time for the coal industry. A number of factors have impacted the industry. Cheaper natural gas is starting to gain more favor with power generating facilities, EPA regulations are tightening the use of coal fired power, and the weather in recent months hasn't created a huge demand for power.
The slow recovery of the economy is another factor Raney blames for the sagging coal market right now.
"When it comes back on line, that's going to mean positive things not only for Ravenswood, but it reaches deeply into the coalfields," said Raney.
It makes a huge difference because Century, before the shutdown, was Appalachian Power Company's largest customer. The Century operation used 10-percent of all the power generated by AEP. Most of that power was generated by coal. Raney hopes it will continue to be.
"We're hopeful it's going to continue to be coal generated electricity that supplies that plant once it comes back on line," said Raney.
The hope comes amid a difficult time for the coal industry. A number of factors have impacted the industry. Cheaper natural gas is starting to gain more favor with power generating facilities, EPA regulations are tightening the use of coal fired power, and the weather in recent months hasn't created a huge demand for power.
The slow recovery of the economy is another factor Raney blames for the sagging coal market right now.
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