2 units at Va. coal-fired plant switching to gas

CARBO, Va. (AP) - Appalachian Power has begun the process to convert a coal-fired plant in southwest Virginia to natural gas.

Appalachian Power vice president Jeff LaFleur tells The Bristol Herald Courier (https://bit.ly/1iprwNm ) that the conversion of two units at the Clinch River Plant is expected to be completed by spring 2016.

The plant’s third unit has been retired.

LaFleur says regulators in Virginia and West Virginia have approved the project.

The project is expected to cost $65 million.

The company has said the conversion is needed because the coal-fired units aren’t equipped to meet environmental requirements.

LaFleur says there will be some layoffs because fewer workers will be needed to operate the gas units.

The plant is located near Carbo in Russell County.

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Information from: Bristol Herald Courier, https://www.bristolnews.com