MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — Appalachian Power announced that the Mitchell Power Plant in Marshall County has been selected as part of a federal funding program aimed at strengthening the reliability of coal-fired power facilities.
The company said it has applied for approximately $51 million through a U.S. Department of Energy initiative designed to support modernization projects at existing power plants across the country.
The funding would be used to replace the Mitchell Plant’s aging natural draft cooling tower with a new mechanical draft cooling tower. According to Appalachian Power, the current cooling tower has been in service for nearly six decades.
Located near Moundsville, the Mitchell Plant is a 1,560-megawatt generating station jointly owned by Appalachian Power and Kentucky Power, both subsidiaries of American Electric Power.
Company officials said the proposed improvements are intended to enhance plant efficiency, improve long-term reliability, and reduce the risks associated with aging infrastructure.
Appalachian Power President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Abraham said the project would help support dependable electric service while continuing to provide affordable power to customers throughout the region.
The Department of Energy program is part of a nationwide effort focused on extending the operational life and performance of existing coal-fired generating facilities.
The funding has been selected through the federal program, with the proposed project expected to move forward as the application process continues.
