MINERS PACK HEARING ON MON POWER GAS PLANT

Members of the United Mine Workers packed a hearing on the proposed natural gas plant in Monongalia County.  Most of the miners who attended the hearing by the West Virginia Public Service Commission oppose the two-point-48 billion dollar plant planned by FirstEnergy.  They argued the plant would minimize the use of coal-fired plants and will put many miners out of work.  They told the commission it would cost West Virginia an estimated one-billion dollars in tax revenues.  FirstEnergy has said the proposed 12-hundred megawatt plant is needed to meet a projected energy shortfall by 2029.