Wall Street Journal article calls into question viability of West Virginia plant’s process

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — The Pleasants Power Station in Pleasants County has found itself in the national spotlight after the Wall Street Journal published a lengthy article about the viability of the coal-to-hydrogen process.

The Pleasants Power Plant was purchased in August 2023 by Omnis Fuel Technologies with the goal to convert the coal-fired plant to create hydrogen, and then graphite to be used for battery technology.

Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) on Thursday said he still believes the project may succeed.

“You know it may not work out that hydrogen may not be at our fingertips right now. It may work out that we change the world. But absolutely we are running a power plant there with 200 people in jobs,” said Gov. Jim Justice, (R) West Virginia.

The State of West Virginia made a $50 million low-interest loan to Omnis. The governor said the income and taxes generated by the plant conversion are of benefit to the state. The Wall Street Journal said the company may try to demonstrate that the technology is working soon.

When the plan was announced last year, Omnis said it hoped to make an $800 million investment in West Virginia and create 600 jobs.

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