Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the WV Energy Campus?
What is the WV Energy Campus?
The WV Energy Campus is a proposed, next‑generation energy project in West Virginia that pairs a 1.6 GW power plant with a co-located 1.0 GW AI data center and a planned Coal Innovation & Training Center. The goal is to deliver reliable, around‑the‑clock power while using modern emissions controls, carbon management, and a waste‑to‑value approach to minimize environmental impacts and create new economic activity.
2) Why build a new power plant at all?
Electric demand is rising—especially from data centers and advanced industry—and grids need resources that can reliably operate through peak conditions and extreme weather. This project is designed to provide firm, dispatchable power and support regional reliability while serving large new demand behind the meter rather than adding it directly as a major new grid load.
3) Is this “just another coal plant”?
No. The project is being designed as a modern, “capture‑first” facility with advanced air‑pollution controls, high‑rate CO₂ capture, and secure storage planning. It also includes a waste‑to‑value model to reuse by-products and reduce what would traditionally be disposed of.
4) What will this mean for air quality?
The facility is planned with modern emissions controls designed to significantly reduce common air pollutants (such as particulate matter and sulfur/nitrogen compounds) compared with older designs. In addition, the project targets high-rate CO₂ capture with secure geologic storage supported by monitoring and reporting.
5) Are we claiming “zero pollution”?
Our goal is to reduce emissions as far as practical using best-available technologies and integrated carbon management. While no industrial facility is literally “zero” in every category, this project is designed to achieve very low emissions (estimated 90% reduction) and operate with clear performance targets, permitting compliance, and transparency.
6) What is the carbon capture plan, and what happens to the captured CO₂?
The project includes a fully integrated carbon capture system designed to capture a large portion of CO₂ from flue gas. Captured CO₂ would be compressed and directed to secure geologic storage (Class VI permitting and monitoring are part of the development plan), with measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) built into operations.
In addition, we plan to evaluate CO₂ utilization pathways—using captured CO₂ as an input to create new products that can be sold and shipped, supporting the project’s broader waste‑to‑value model.
7) Will CO₂ be transported through the community?
The project planning includes evaluating the safest and most practical CO₂ handling method for the site and storage solution. DOT-approved tankers will be used, in cases where CO₂ is transported to locations that can safely utilize it for their applications.
8) How will the project protect local water resources?
Water stewardship is a core design priority. The project is planned to use advanced cooling strategies and closed‑loop water systems to minimize withdrawals and limit impacts to the local water table. We also plan to incorporate rainwater capture (where practical) to supplement site water needs, alongside continuous monitoring and regulatory compliance.
9) What about wastewater and discharges?
The design approach emphasizes closed-loop operation and appropriate treatment systems. Any permitted discharges, if required, would be managed to meet or exceed regulatory standards, with monitoring requirements as part of permitting.
10) What is “Waste‑to‑Value” (W2V)?
Waste‑to‑Value means treating by‑products as inputs for new products instead of waste. The project’s W2V model is intended to convert certain output streams (for example, gypsum and ash-derived materials) into usable products for construction and other industries, reducing landfill/disposal needs and creating additional economic activity.
11) Will you be extracting rare earth elements (REEs) from coal ash?
REE recovery is included as a planned pathway as the project develops, and it would be pursued with appropriate testing, controls, and regulatory compliance. Any REE work would be phased, starting with evaluation and pilot activities before scaling.
12) What will traffic, noise, and visual impact be like?
This project is planned for an area that already hosts major energy infrastructure, including an existing coal power plant, and has a very small local population. The campus is intended to be well set back from the road and far from public areas, with buffer zones and design measures to reduce day‑to‑day impacts such as noise, lighting, and traffic. Where possible, logistics will favor established industrial routes and practices to limit local disruption.
13) How many jobs will this create?
A project of this scale is estimated to create approximately 900 local jobs (often described as 800–1,000 jobs depending on phase and category), spanning construction, operations, maintenance, logistics, and new by-product industries.
14) What does this mean for the local economy long term?
Beyond direct jobs, the project is intended to support long-term economic activity through supply chains, local services, workforce training, and new industries tied to by‑products and research partnerships.
15) Who is involved in the project?
TerraSpark is leading the development with experienced engineering and technology partners. The project also includes planned collaboration with regional institutions for research and workforce development.
16) When would the project be built and when would it start operating?
The project is structured in phases—starting with scoping and engineering, followed by design, permitting, and construction. Early work begins in 2026, with initial online capacity targeted for 2029 and phased commissioning thereafter.
17) What permits are required?
Major projects like this typically require air permits (including Title V), water-related permits, construction approvals, and federal environmental review (NEPA). CO₂ storage requires additional Class VI permitting and monitoring requirements. The project schedule includes these activities.
18) Why coal for the WV Energy Campus?
Coal is abundant, reliable, and a known quantity for producing 24/7 electricity at large scale. Our project is designed to serve major demand behind the meter, so it minimizes impact on the local grid and reduces the need for additional grid upgrades. Because it does not rely on natural gas as its primary fuel, it also avoids adding gas demand that can tighten supply and put upward pressure on local energy prices—while we pair the plant with modern emissions controls, carbon capture, and waste‑to‑value reuse to keep environmental impact as low as possible.
19) How can the public stay informed or ask questions?
We plan to provide project updates as milestones are reached and to engage with local stakeholders as permitting and design progress. A public contact channel and updates page will be provided so residents, businesses, and community leaders can ask questions and receive timely information. adventure for you.