King Coal likes to boast that he keeps the lights on in West Virginia, but his throne — and pride — might be in for some keen competition from nature.

Specifically, the wind.

Before the day is out, upwards of 1 million folks across the nation are getting a glimpse of an idea generated by Coal River Mountain Watch to usher in a series of turbines in southern West Virginia as a means of cranking out wind-generated power.

On any given day, says Matt Noerpel, research analyst for the environmental group, such a project could provide sufficient power to keep the lights glowing in as many as 150,000 homes.

“We’ve been talking with several companies who are interested,” Noerpel said Monday. “We’ve pitched it to several companies that are trying to move forward with this. A lot of wind companies are looking to come into Appalachia and setting up on our ridges.”

While environmental groups historically have fought wind turbines — the brouhaha over a proposed one in Greenbrier County typified such opposition — Noerpel sees them as a viable alternative to strip mining.

In Coal River’s area of concern, wind turbines are becoming increasingly attractive, given plans by Massey Energy to mine some 6,000 acres of a mountain, blanketing about 10 square miles, while erecting 18 valley fills along Clear Fork River, embracing hamlets like Dorothy and Colcord, ravaged by 2001 flooding.

“When you get right down to it, environmental groups would rather see a wind farm than the mountaintop coal removal,” Noerpel said.

Once a mountain is strip mined, its potential for wind power is damaged, since any lowering of the natural terrain interferes with normal currents, the Coal River Watch researcher explained.

What’s more, there is the matter of staying power when the two sources of energy are compared, Noerpel points out.

Data contained in the mining permit indicates the strip mine job can provide employment and energy for about 14 years, while negating any prospects of other economic development, wind power included.

“You’re not going to run out of wind,” Noerpel observed.

“That’s the idea. You can light 150,000 homes at any given time of the year.”

A wind farm, as outlined by WindLogics, a nationally recognized firm, could generate more than $20 million annually in direct local spending during the construction phase, and $2 million a year when operational. In the first two years, estimates are for 200-plus construction jobs and, as long as the project functions, permanent employment for 40 to 50 people.

West Virginia could collect some $400,000 in taxes, while Raleigh County could expect a tax windfall ranging between $750,000 and $3 million. Moreover, proponents point to a source of clean wind energy for both the county and city of Beckley.

While the best potential for wind power is north of the Allegheny Front, Noerpel said the Coal River area has “excellent” prospects.

“We’re optimistic about the potential for local leaders to support this project and put Raleigh County on the map,” Noerpel said.

“This would be the biggest wind farm proposed on the East Coast and could provide a model for other counties in West Virginia looking to develop affordable, clean energy and create safe, healthy jobs in their own communities.”

— E-mail:

mannix@register-herald.com