By The Associated Press
ST. MARYS, W.Va. -- West Virginia regulators are questioning FirstEnergy Corp.'s plan to close three aging coal-fired power plants.
The state Public Service Commission has ordered the company to keep the Albright, Willow Island and Rivesville power stations operable while it reviews the plan.
Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy plans to retire the plants by Sept. 1. The company attributes the shutdowns to new federal environmental regulations that are designed to reduce emissions of toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired plants.
In its order, the PSC said it wants to review the factors that justify closing the plants, the impact on customers and what options were considered.
FirstEnergy spokesman Mark Durbin told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that the company is working to answer the PSC's questions.