In a move that has left many in the community feeling blindsided, the West Virginia Department of Commerce has informed the Sierra Club's West Virginia Chapter that there are no non-exempt records responsive to their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request pertaining to the $1.44 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund refurbishment projects at six unnamed coal-fired power plants.
The DOE and Governor Patrick Morrisey first announced the $1.44 billion in coal refurbishment projects as part of a larger $4.2 billion suite of fossil-fuel expansions in November 2025, with the intention of extending the lives of the six coal plants up to 20 years.
However, regardless of how long the coal plants manage to continue operating, payments on the low-interest DOE loans will be passed on to West Virginians' electric bills for decades, leaving many wondering about the true cost of this deal.
The lack of transparency in this deal raises serious concerns about the accountability of those involved in the loan and its impact on West Virginians.
In January, the Sierra Club requested a detailed list of the six plants set to receive loans, as well as information on the cost and specific upgrades proposed at each plant, but their FOIA request was met with the response that certain public records are exempt from disclosure.
This decision has sparked outrage among environmental groups, who argue that West Virginians have a right to know where their money is going and how it will impact their health and wellbeing.
The Sierra Club's study has shown that West Virginia's in-state coal plants currently account for hundreds of expensive hospital visits and 20 West Virginian deaths annually, highlighting the devastating public health impacts of these facilities.
As one can only imagine, the prospect of being asked to repay billions of dollars in loans without any details is a daunting one, and it is imperative that those in power provide clarity on this matter.
The Sierra Club's Chair, Bill Price, has stated that 'West Virginians are being kept in the dark' and that 'no honest lender operates this way', emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in government decision-making.
The lack of transparency in this deal raises serious concerns about the accountability of those involved in the loan and its impact on West Virginians.
