Following an executive session that last nearly two hours, members of the Benedum Airport Authority agreed to enter into a letter of intent with Hope Gas, Inc., to create an on-site facility that would create electricity for the North Central West Virginia Airport.

 

The concept is known as a microgrid and would be fueled by natural gas extracted from the airport’s property. The Authority, the airport’s governing body, came to the decision after talking with Hope officials this afternoon.

 

“The agreement allows us to take the next step thanks to the non-binding letter of intent,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. “The agreement is for 90 days and in that time period we will share information and anticipate (Hope Gas) coming back with an economic model and a facility model for how this will work.”

 

The facility itself, said Rock, would be located at the airport’s new Aerotech Business Park. He added that it would not require even an acre of what airport officials have touted as highly valuable – and recently create – developable land.

 

“We don’t know the cost of what they would invest, and should learn that as we move forward,” said Rock. “Certainly, this would be in the millions of dollars.”

 

Rock said a lot will depend on what Hope Gas comes back with in the weeks and months ahead. He said, ultimately, there could be a 20-year agreement.

 

Today's letter of intent was reviewed by the Authority's legal counsel, Attorney Dean Ramsey.

 

“If everything is agreeable, the airport, including the new terminal, and the businesses within the airport property would have a resilient energy source,” said Rock. “Ultimately, this has to be beneficial to the end users and we want it as close to zero emissions as possible. We understand the benefit of a resilient power source from our own property, but we also have to assure it comes at a reasonable and competitive rate.”

 

What those rates will be is unknown as the process is still in its early stages. In fact, the idea was formally pitched roughly two weeks ago at a meeting in Bridgeport that was attended by airport officials.

 

“We’ll see how this goes,” said Rock. “The letter of intent sets things up and the airport has not committed any funds to this process. This should be interesting, and could be extremely beneficial to all involved.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the Airport Authority prior to going into executive session today, while the Authority's Attorney, Dean Ramsey, is shown below.