MOUNDSVILLE — A power company with sites in 22 states is resurrecting the possibility of a gas-fired power plant in Marshall County — and that could benefit both the county and its school district to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.

This week, the Marshall County Commission and Marshall County Board of Education approved a Payment In Lieu Of Tax (PILOT) agreement with Calpine Mid-Atlantic Development. The county commission also authorized a 30-year lease agreement with the company.

Marshall County Administrator Betsy Wilson-Frohnapfel said those agreements represent the next step in Calpine’s process in investigating the possibility of building a natural gas power facility on 37 acres about three miles south of Moundsville. There were previous talks in 2014 of building a plant in Marshall County.

There currently are no gas-fired power plants operational in West Virginia.

The agreements will allow Calpine to continue their due diligence, Wilson-Frohnapfel said, to make sure the numbers work and that they can move forward with permitting and construction.

“Calpine’s strong history of building and operating a clean portfolio of gas-fired generation makes it a strong partner for a community that will benefit from a more reliable electric power grid, local jobs, tax revenues, and targeted philanthropic support that improves education, workforce development, environmental projects, and economic opportunity,” said Suriyun Sukduang, Calpine Vice President of Origination.

A PILOT agreement is a tax incentive where a company makes negotiated payments to local governments instead of full property taxes. That agreement between Calpine, the county and the school district will bring in $20,825,550 to the county and district. The lease agreement also lasts for 30 years and includes a tax credit of $10,000 for every full-time employee Calpine hires up to 30 employees.

The lease would bring in between $30,302,829 and $39,302,829.00 over a 30-year span.

County and school officials praised the agreement, in part because it will allow local resources to benefit the local community.

“We are pleased Calpine has chosen to reevaluate a former gas fired power plant project,” said Marshall County Commission President Scott Varner. “We believe this plant will strengthen Marshall County’s energy portfolio, while letting coal remain the foundation of our natural resources. Coal provides power stability, gas provides flexibility.”

Calpine has also promised to use local labor in constructing the facility.

“All investment in our county is good,” Commissioner John Gruzinskas said, “but when a company agrees, as Calpine has, to utilize local labor during construction, it is a win for everyone.”

“While the revenue brought in by these agreements is good for both the Commission and the BOE, the Commission strives to work with companies who will provide well-paying jobs for our residents and this project coming to fruition would achieve that goal,” added Commissioner Dave McLaughlin.

Marshall County Schools Superintendent Shelby Haines said the possibility of a new power plant in the county would be a big boost for her students.

“Marshall County offers a very broad array of Career and Technical Programs,” she said, “and any time new business or industry comes into the county, our students have a better chance of staying in the area.”

The funds will come to Marshall County and Marshall County Schools if the plant is built and put to work. Wilson-Frohnapfel said the land for the prospective plant is currently owned by Honeywell. There is a superfund site on Honeywell’s land, but that won’t be part of the land where a prospective plant would be built.