Document 45
From: Sent: To: Cc: (CONTR) Subject: Attachments:
Brandon Audap Wed, 14 May 2025 13:40:48 +0000 Coe, Carl; Hrkman, Lou (Louis) Patricia Tamez; John Mulligan; Nick Miner; Smith, Patrice (CONTR); Korzh, Yuliya
[EXTERNAL] Re: Letter from Shell & meeting request Secretary Wright Letter Shell May 2025.pdf
Hi folks. Just wanted to follow up here to see about a meeting for Shell.
Brandon
Brandon Audap Principal m: (b) (6) @: baudap@monumentadvocacy.com
El CI
On May 12, 2025, at 6:52 PM, Brandon Audap <baudap@monumentadvocacy.com> wrote:
Hi Carl and Lou,
Attached is a letter of support from to Sec. Wright for the Nicholas County coal to solar project.
My colleague Pat, cc'ed on this email, has been working closely with the WV delegation and the local stakeholders to voice their support to DOE staff.
Since this project was on the initial cut list, we would like to have a meeting you and can also bring some of the coal landowners who support the project.
As you may be aware, this project will utilize depleted surface mine lands for solar development but underground mine activity will still be viable. It also has a sizeable workforce development program that will help develop a curriculum/training for coal workers interested in transition to solar development.
Please let us know what times work for you and we can schedule a meeting.
Brandon
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026522
Brandon Audap
Principal
X
m: (b) (6)
(ci): baudap(cb,monumentadvocacy.com
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Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026523
May 8, 2025
Shell USA, Inc. 150 N Dairy Ashford Houston, TX 77079
United States of America
www.shell.us
The Honorable Chris Wright Secretary U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C. 20585
Dear Secretary Wright,
It was good to meet you during the CERAWeek Roundtable, and I very much appreciated the discussion. I am writing, today, to express Shell's strong support of continued partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Nicholas County Solar Project in West Virginia developed by Savion, LLC (Savion), wholly owned by Shell'. The project is a significant American energy opportunity.
The Nicholas County Solar Project will transform two former, depleted surface coal mine sites in West Virginia into a >200 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility--one of the largest coal-to-solar projects in the country. The land designated for this project is owned by former American coal companies, which ore supportive of the project. This project repurposes sites previously used for coal mining and will not displace any existing coal jobs but rather coexist with ongoing underground deep coal mining operations, demonstrating how different energy resources can work together for continued economic and energy growth.
This project has garnered robust support from the Nicholas County community, as an opportunity to create new jobs, provide valuable training, and generate new sources of power, all of which are crucial for the economic and social well-being of the area. Additionally, the project is expected to contribute significant local property tax revenue, help offset tax losses from retired coal mine operations and provide critical funding for schools, infrastructure, and essential public services.
The DOE's initial project disbursement of -$1.9 million has supported the execution of Phase 1 activities, including business plan refinement, feasibility studies and permitting. The full award amount of $129 million from the DOE will enable an additional $2O0 million in private investment by Savion.
We respectfully urge your support to retain funding for this critical project and welcome any further discussions your office would like to have on this matter. We look forward to finding a time when you can meet with our Shell plc CEO, Wael Sawan, and my successor as Shell USA President, Colette Hirstius. Colette will begin the role on August 1. We remain available to partner with you and the administration on many topics important for energy dominance.
Gretchen Watkins President
' The componies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments ore separote legal entities. In this letter, 'Shell" is sometimes used for convenience where references ore made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. likewise, the word "we" is also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them.
Sierra Club v. Dept of Energy, 4:25-cv-5027
SC_EVERSPLIT0026524