The picture is becoming clear for Tucker County residents who oppose the Ridgeline power plant. Just read the news release about Gov. Patrick Morrissey’s “Grow West Virginia” initiative.

Morrissey wants to “grow jobs” by expanding current businesses and attracting new ones, and he wants to “grow the free market environment by cutting red tape and being the fastest permitting state in the region.”

That certainly could explain why the air permitting process for Ridgeline is sailing through the WV Department of Environmental Protection in spite of the application being heavily redacted. No one really knows what is being planned except state officials.

It could also explain why the permit has been submitted for a synthetic minor source of emissions when the plant will run around the clock every day of the year. Or the fact that officials are not bothered by 30 million gallons of diesel fuel being stored within a mile of a school and historic buildings.

I agree that West Virginia needs jobs, but why can’t facilities like Ridgeline be located in more appropriate places? Why must there be a rush to permit them anywhere someone wants to build them?

Local officials have been cut out of the approval process with the WV Power Generation and Consumption Act (HB 2014). But the same local officials will have to decide how to pay for fire services, water requirements, road maintenance and many issues caused by having this huge power plant and — whatever it runs — on their doorstep.

I won’t be surprised if Ridgeline qualifies for a stipend from Morrissey’s WV Jobs Initiative either. Progress is good for West Virginia, but being the fastest does not ensure you will be the best. Slow down and put Ridgeline somewhere more appropriate.

Janice DePollo Lantz

Greensburg,

Pennsylvania