Energy Solutions Consortium, based in Buffalo, NY, has been trying to build a number of gas-fired electric plant projects in West Virginia for years (see Big News: 3 More Marcellus-Powered Electric Plants Coming to WV and WV Builder Tells PSC Power Plant Can Burn Methane AND Ethane). However, the regulatory environment in WV creeps along, like molasses, and none of the projects are even under construction–yet. WV’s own Secretary of Commerce, Woody Thrasher, recently said WV is downright unfriendly to electric plant projects (see WV Sec Commerce Says State Unfriendly to Gas-Fired Power Plants). Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is building new Marcellus-fired electric plants left and right. Perhaps noticing the difference in regulatory climates, Energy Solutions has decided to try a project in PA–in Tioga County (about 2.5 hours from Buffalo). The $500 million project will be called Tioga County Power–a 680 megawatt plant capable of powering 430,000 homes, fed by yummy Marcellus Shale gas produced in PA…
