BIG STONE GAP, Va. (WVVA) – The town of Richlands is set to receive $2 million in order to construct a natural gas-fired turbine and generator.
According to Virginia Energy, the micro powerplant will generate five megawatts of electricity, enough to supply the town’s 2,500 customers.
When the turbine and generator are installed, the natural gas will interconnect with nearby pipeline infrastructure for convenient access to gas supply resulting in lower costs.
Richlands has provided electricity from utility companies to its businesses and citizens since 1922 and applied for the funding after suffering from recent rate increases.
The funding is from the Virginia Department of Energy’s (Virginia Energy) Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant. AMLER is a federally funded program and is administered by Virginia Energy.
“This project makes energy more affordable by saving the average town resident $1,500 each year,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “It’s an innovative approach for this unique town utility and turns a negative into a positive by transforming land that was historically mined for coal.”
The AMLER Advisory Committee chose the project to fund at their August 12 meeting.
“I am pleased to support opportunities like this in my district and am glad the AMLER Advisory Committee shared the vision when approving this project,” said Virginia Senator Travis Hackworth. “The town’s project shows their commitment toward ensuring reliable and affordable energy to its businesses and citizens.”
“With rates expected to increase within the next five years, we knew we had to do something for our citizens and businesses,” said Richlands Town Manager Jason May. “We saw an opportunity in the AMLER funding to help us make our vision a reality and we are grateful for this resource that will help us keep energy affordable in our town.”
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