West Virginia selected as site for coal-to-liquids plant

15 December 2008

TransGas Development Systems (TGDS) plans to build a coal-to-liquids plant in Mingo County, West Virginia.
"West Virginia remains firmly committed to advancing coal-to-liquids technology. We are excited that TransGas Development Systems shares that goal and is prepared to invest in our state," said Gov. Joe Manchin.

West Virginia selected as site for coal-to-liquids plant

"The decision to construct this coal-to-liquids plant will encourage more efficient use of our coal, help create more job opportunities and will continue us on our path to secure a more stable and independent future in energy."

Projected to be operational by 2013, the plant will be built in Mingo County's energy park near Gilbert. The construction phase is expected to generate 3,000 jobs. When fully staffed, the facility will employ as many as 200 workers. TGDS estimates the facility will use up to 3 million tons of locally mined coal a year to produce more than 6.5 million barrels of gasoline.

"As a supporter of coal-to-liquid technology and West Virginia coal, I am pleased to see this latest effort taking shape in Mingo County," said Sen. Robert C. Byrd. "This project has the potential to bring many well-paying coal jobs to West Virginia, and that is always good news for our state."

"What we need are serious initiatives that put West Virginia coal at the forefront of meeting our nation's energy needs, while also creating good jobs and making meaningful investments in our state," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller. "West Virginia needs to focus on projects that will deliver and put us on a path toward a promising energy future that I know we can and will achieve through tomorrow's clean coal."

"America's need for energy is continuing to grow and the path toward a better, more diverse energy future in America must include coal as a major player, along with renewables," said Rep. Nick J. Rahall II. "For years I have worked to help clear the way for coal to address our energy challenges more cleanly, efficiently, and affordably, and this new West Virginia plant will help to fulfill that goal. Southern West Virginia, deep in the heart of our nation's coal country, is the perfect place to help jumpstart a national coal-based liquid fuels industry."

TGDS has signed a licensing agreement with Uhde Corporation of America for the use of the Prenflo gasifier reactor.

The Prenflo technology handles all types of coal as well as petroleum coke, char and biomass. In addition to producing gasoline, the gasification process produces economically valuable by-products such as slag and fly ash used in construction.

"Coal must be a central part of our nation's energy future and with such a high-profile investment in coal-to-liquid technology this new plant will help ensure that is the case," said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. "This is an exciting announcement for our state, and it will be a clear example of the important role West Virginians and coal-to-liquid technology can play in making our nation more energy independent."

The facility will be served by two 1,000 MWth Prenflo gasifiers in the Direct Quench version (PDQ). The facility will use a catalytic process to produce gasoline.

TGDS worked with the West Virginia Development Office and the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority (MCRA) to develop the project.