An alternative energy company plans to bring lots of jobs to the Northern Panhandle
Wait a minute: Haven’t Republicans spent most of the year telling us how terrible the Inflation Reduction Act was for West Virginia
West Virginians probably saw coverage of this in their morning newspaper:
We're excited to share that we're partnering with the State of West Virginia to build our first iron-air battery manufacturing facility in the city of Weirton, a historic steel community with a rich history and knowledge of iron processing. Learn more at: https://t.co/QDRVxC8FOS. pic.twitter.com/aofp5SFWpt
— Form Energy (@FormEnergyInc) December 22, 2022
Of course, Governor Jim Justice was one of the first to welcome them:
Let's give a big West Virginia welcome to Form Energy!
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) December 22, 2022
Form Energy will be building its first iron-air battery manufacturing facility in Weirton.
The new plant is expected to create a minimum of 750 new full-time jobs. https://t.co/D4t4XI3zWF
And he was one of the first to take credit:
“This is as good of an announcement that could ever possibly be made,” Justice said. “This today is further testimony of absolutely us moving into a situation and economy where we are diversified even more. We want goodness across the board. We want West Virginia to be known forever more as that energy state that always figured it out.”
Of course, what Justice doesn’t mention is how all of this came about through the Inflation Reduction Act:
BREAKING NEWS: Form Energy will build a battery manufacturing plant in Hancock County. This $760 MILLION investment in #WV, which will create up to 750 jobs, was made possible by the #InflationReductionAct. @WVNews247 https://t.co/Z3e8yXPt3u
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) December 22, 2022
Nor did the Governor or the News-Register mention Justice’s outspoken opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act. For example, on Fox News:
West Virginia governor torches Democrats' energy agenda: How can anybody defend what’s going on in DC?
With the subheading:
Republican Gov. Jim Justice rips the Manchin-Schumer deal as Americans struggle with inflation
But the governor was not the only West Virginian Republican to criticize the legislation; here’s Senator Shelley Moore Capito calling the Inflation Reduction Act “indefensible”:
Op-ed by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito: "The untimely and indefensible 'Inflation Reduction Act' is a lie being sold by those in Washington desperate to accomplish something, anything, before the midterm elections." https://t.co/D4ZfN4rQvI
— Charleston Gazette-Mail (@wvgazettemail) August 3, 2022
(A special hat-tip from the Wheeling Alternative to any brave WV stenographer who asks the senator at her next news conference whether she still thinks an act which could potentially bring 750 jobs to the Ohio Valley is “indefensible”.)
And of course, there was Representative Alex Mooney back in July, getting a head-start on his U.S. Senate race against Senator Manchin with an Ogden op-ed:
Rep. Alex Mooney: Manchin support of ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ betrays West Virginians
Since he’s done it before (see here, for instance), I assume Mooney will find a way to take credit for something he opposed; in this case, the Form Energy announcement.
Of course, Republicans will take credit – who would question them?
