Babcock & Wilcox invests $125M to expand hydrogen production in West Virginia
Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) has announced plans to expand operations in Mason County, West Virginia. The company, which specializes in energy and environmental technologies, will invest $125 million into the project, creating 28 new jobs in the process. B&W will focus on the deployment of their BrightLoop low-carbon hydrogen technology, which utilizes a chemical looping process to produce low-carbon hydrogen, steam, or syngas while isolating carbon dioxide for capture and storage.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Governor Jim Justice said, "This is a tremendous win for West Virginia, Mason County, and our entire state. Babcock & Wilcox's decision to bring their technology and expertise here is a testament to our state's growing reputation as a hub for innovation and forward-thinking energy solutions. This investment not only creates jobs but also positions West Virginia to continue being the leader in the energy industry.”
Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, added, "We are proud to support Babcock & Wilcox in bringing this transformative technology to West Virginia. Their investment is a strong vote of confidence in our state's workforce and our commitment to innovative economic development."
Manufacturers investing in West Virginia
Cleveland-Cliffs invests $150 million to establish electrical distribution transformer manufacturing plant in West Virginia
The steel producer plans to repurpose its Half Moon Warehouse in Weirton to begin production of three-phase distribution transformers.
SOMAR invests $2.5 million to establish epoxy resin manufacturing plant in West Virginia
"We look forward to growing our North America business from this new location."
Nucor breaks ground on $2.7 billion sheet steel mill in West Virginia
When operational, the new facility will be able to produce up to three million tons of sheet steel annually.
Investing in American manufacturing in 2024
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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