CHARLESTON – Gov. Patrick Morrisey and other West Virginia leaders praised President Donald Trump Thursday for approximately $700 million in federal investment in coal-fired power generation, including in West Virginia.

Trump held a ceremony at the White House Thursday afternoon, attended by Morrisey and 2nd District Congressman Riley Moore, to announce he was using the Defense Production Act to repurpose up to $700 million in environmental funds for investments in energy infrastructure, improvements to existing coal-fired power plants, and new coal-fired power plant construction.

“Today, we’re taking historic action to bring down the price of energy and the cost of living for all Americans with the power of clean, beautiful coal,” Trump said, surrounded by members of Congress, governors, and administration officials.

Of the $700 million, approximately $425 million would be distributed to 13 coal-fired power plants in 10 states, including West Virginia. Details on which West Virginia coal-fired plant would receive funding were unavailable. The Defense Production Act, a relic from the early days of the Cold War, gives the president emergency authority to use federal resources to help vital industries.

“These were incredible plants, so productive, really producing a lot of the electricity,” Trump said. “Our actions will allow these facilities to invest in upgrades that will extend their operational lives for decades into the future, reinforce the reliability of our electric grid, which is really the biggest beneficiary, and, most importantly, keep electricity prices very low for the American people.”

Another $200 million would be made available in U.S. Department of Energy grants to fund construction of a new coal export terminal in Oakland, Calif., and to build two new coal-fired power plants – one for Alaska and one for West Virginia. These would be the first new coal-fired power plants since 2013.

“Coal is a great business, really a big business,” Trump said. “And it’s real power. In terms of power, there’s really nothing like it.”

The proposed plant, by company TerraSpark, would be located near the existing Mount Storm coal-fired power plant in Grant County, producing 1.6 gigawatts of power and utilizing carbon capture technology. The project will receive up to $18.5 million in federal funding.

“We’re honored to receive support from the Department of Energy as we move this project forward,” said Bill Tolpegin, partner at TerraSpark. “Electricity demand in the United States is growing rapidly, and we need infrastructure that can keep up. This project is about delivering reliable power when it’s needed, creating skilled, good-paying jobs, and helping advance carbon management technologies that strengthen America’s energy future.”

The TerraSpark Energy Campus would also play host to a 10-acre West Virginia Coal Innovation and Training Center through West Virginia University for research in rare earth mineral extraction and development of advanced materials. The company estimates the project could create up to 500 permanent jobs.

“President Trump is the first president in my lifetime to prioritize America’s coal industry and recognize the vital role that clean, beautiful coal plays in our nation’s energy future,” said Moore, R-W.Va. “It was an honor to be in the Oval Office today to hear President Trump announce a brand new coal-fired plant will be built right in West Virginia’s Second Congressional District.”

“This new coal plant … is exactly the kind of energy project that will provide affordable, reliable electricity to power America’s industrial resurgence, strengthen our nation’s energy security, drive down West Virginians’ energy prices, and sends a message that America’s future is coal-fired,” Moore continued.