By Stephen Smoot
Last spring, the Harrison County Commission gave its approval for Equitrans Midstream to commence surveying land owned by the county. This represents one of the initial concrete steps toward the eventual construction of a 550-megawatt natural gas fired power plant.
The plant will be constructed by Wolf Summit Energy LLC, a subsidiary of General Electric.
First, the County Commission held a public meeting to allow residents to express opposition or support for the Summit Park Public Service District to have its boundaries adjusted. Approval would place the future power plant within the purview of the City of Clarksburg’s water and sewer.
Three speakers rose to speak against the change. Two, Brittany and Leticia Clutter, spoke in opposition to the plant altogether, citing environmental concerns.
Mary Seymour, General Manager of Summit Park Public Service District, rose and said that she also spoke on behalf of the PSD’s Board.
Seymour explained that the Summit Park PSD water and sewer infrastructure once served a thriving community of both residences and industry She said “Summit Park PSD has a vested interest in the community of Summit Park” and provided service in the times when “coal mines and factories were booming in the area.”
She went on to state that “Summit Park was not originally brought into the planning of the proposed plant. We respectfully ask the powers that be, why?”
Seymour then provided a possible answer, explaining that “we were told that we were too small in our operation and that there was no confidence in our ability to serve.”
To counter Seymour’s point, Albert Cox, President of the Clarksburg Water Board, started by saying “we’re not in a squabble with Summit Park . . . we have a very good relationship with those folks.” Cox went on to say that they were “approached by the original developer who asked if we had the capacity to provide the water.”
To those questioning if the project should happen at all, Cox shared “this is not our project. We are not leading the fight. We’re here to provide the water.”
He then explained that the reason that developers favored Clarksburg’s water and sewer utilities over Summit Park PSD was that “the size of our staffing was a consideration.” Simply put, if a problem requiring repair occurred, Clarksburg has the personnel to handle it whereas Summit Park PSD would have to call in outside assistance.
Tim Stranko, representing the water and sanitary board for Clarksburg, elaborated further, saying “we don’t suggest Summit Park is not competent,” but said that their emphasis is on residential service.
Others spoke on behalf of the project itself, pointing out that it will create good paying union jobs with retirement, health insurance, and more.
Trey Simmerman, county counsel, pointed out that the change required four attributes, including “feasibility of the change,” preservation of public health, and the comfort and convenience for the area. Commissioner David Hinkle pointed out the lack of a feasibility study, saying “I just want to go on record that no party has brought a feasibility study,” but added “we want this project to continue. We need to move on with the change in the boundary.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the boundary change.
