A deal to bring a $1.1 billion power plant expansion, the merging of EMS services, the opening of a new aquatic center and the reintroduction of subdivision regulations all made news in Monongalia County in 2019.
New PILOT
The Monongalia County Commission and Longview Power are working on a PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes, agreement for the $1.1 billion solar and natural gas expansion planned for the coal-fired power plant on Fort Martin Road.
This will be the second such agreement between the power producer and the county. As incentive to build the 710 megawatt, $2.2 billion coal plant locally, Longview signed a PILOT agreement in 2003 worth $105 million over 40 years.
The new PILOT will be worth an additional $58 million to the county, according to Longview representatives.
Longview announced in February its plans to pursue an “all-of-the-above” strategy, combining what it calls the most efficient coal-fired facility in the western hemisphere with a 1,200 megawatt natural gas plant on Fort Martin Road and a 350-acre solar array, the majority of which will be in Pennsylvania.
When the sun is shining, the solar arrays will generate about 70 megawatts, offsetting a significant portion of the power used to operate the coal plant.
Longview Chief Operating Officer Stephen Nelson said the solar and gas projects remain in the permitting process, and he anticipates construction could begin as early as late 2020. Project completion is slated for late 2023.
Regulators
If and when subdivision and land use regulations become a reality in Monongalia County, let it not be said the process wasn’t thorough.
The issue has veered in and out of the public eye since 1968. It returned in 2019.
Monongalia County Director of Planning Andrew Gast-Bray originally expected to bring a document to the Monongalia County Commission for public comment and consideration.
That timeline has since been pushed to early 2020.
Subdivision regulations are one of four documents used in planning — the others being comprehensive plans, zoning codes and building codes.
While zoning determines what can go where, subdivision regulations deal specifically with issues like water runoff and how property is divided and accessed.
The regulations, if ultimately passed, will not impact existing development and will not be enforced within municipal boundaries.
The draft document and frequently asked questions are available at monongalia county.gov/moncpc/sub division_faq.php.
Splash pad
The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park hosted an opening ceremony Nov. 1.
The facilities will be owned by the Mylan Park Foundation, which financed the $33 million aquatic center — with a $15 million commitment from West Virginia University.
The Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust, provided the largest gift in its history, $15 million, to make the new aquatic center and neighboring track facility a reality.
The 90,000-plus square foot facility is essentially split, with competition swimming and diving amenities on one side and recreational features, including pools, a slide and outdoor splash pad on the other.
Meanwhile, down the hill from the new pools, the Monongalia County Extension Services and 4-H Center is being completed.
As the name implies, the building is the new home of WVU Extension Services in the county. Representatives of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture are expected to move into the building in January.
The building will also feature a test kitchen, multi-use space and room for an additional tenant, as well as a connected 15,000 square-foot covered pavilion.
Merger complete
Initially announced in November 2018, the agreement merging Mon EMS and HealthTeam Critical Care Transport went into effect July 1.
Also in July, Forest Weyen was announced as Monongalia Emergency Medical Services new executive director.
The reconstituted Monongalia EMS is a 50-50 partnership between the entities with a consolidated budget, a new board of directors and rebranded blue and white vehicles featuring the logos of both.
The partnership has a $7 million operating budget.
Morgantown Area News
'Tuesday, April 30, 2024'
