W.Va. environmental protection agency intends to OK coal-to-gas plant air pollution permit

W.Va. intends to issue coal-to-gas plant permit

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comment on its intention to issue an air quality permit for a proposed coal-to-gasoline plant.

New York-based TransGas Development LLC announced last December it planned to build a plant in Mingo County near Wharncliffe.

The proposed facility would turn coal into methanol that would then be used to produce about 756,000 gallons of gasoline a day.

DEP Office of Air Quality engineer Joe Kessler said Tuesday that the agency has determined the plant as proposed would meet all state and federal air quality standards.

The DEP will accept public comment on the plant until Nov. 30.