LOCAL REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ARE TRYING TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF COAL PLANT IN ST. PAUL

Local Republican legislators hope to extend the life of a coal-burning plant in Wise County. An amendment to extend operation of the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul beyond 2030 has been rejected by the Virginia House. Democratic lawmakers would force the closure of the plant in 2030 unless the facility can demonstrate at least 83 percent reduction in carbon emissions through capture and sequestration. The plant employs nearly 200 full-time and contractual employees and supports hundreds more jobs and local government budgets. Delegate Terry Kilgore says that the Democrats are pulling the rug out from under the Republicans and closing down the cleanest coal plant in the world right now that's running, and that it's just a slap in the face to Southwest Virginia. 

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