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Repealing West Virginia's renewable energy portfolio standards is a top Republican Party priority for the 2012 legislative session, but the state's top energy official said the party's primary concerns are unfounded.
Majority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, said former Gov. Joe Manchin's Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act is stifling job growth and raising electricity rates for residents across the state.
The legislation requires 10 percent of electricity sold in West Virginia to come from renewable or alternative sources by 2015. By 2025, the share should grow to more than 25 percent.
Jeff Herholdt, director of the West Virginia Division of Energy, pointed out only about one-third of the electricity generated in West Virginia is consumed in the state. The Energy Portfolio Act only applies to electricity sold in West Virginia.
"When you look at our portfolio, the challenge has been the impact on coal and coal jobs. Well, we now have that plant in Longview coming on line," Herholdt said. "That's advanced super-critical (technology), one of the cleanest power plants in the East."
The Longview Power plant, with its 695 MW capacity, is considered alternative energy and qualifies for credits under the Portfolio Act.
Pointing out Longview as an example, Herholdt illustrated the broad nature...