CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission is being asked to approve Appalachian Power’s purchase of two renewable energy projects outside the state to meet the energy demands of its customers inside the state.

The PSC took testimony in an evidentiary hearing Tuesday.

Appalachian Power said it wants to continue to build its renewable energy portfolio because its larger customers are seeking more renewable options.

Nucor Steel West Virginia, which is building a very large plant in Mason County, has signed a contract with Appalachian Power for the utility to provide 20 percent of its power from renewable sources. Appalachian Power Director of Regulatory Services Randall Short told the PSC Tuesday the utility has enough renewable energy to make that happen but it needs additional options for future customers.

“They tell us they have a need for it, either because whatever they’re making has a requirement or they have an obligation, we attempt to meet those needs,” Short testified. “We think its in the interest of the state of West Virginia to keep those jobs here and give them what they need.”

Both PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane and Commissioner Bill Raney asked why Appalachian Power decided against purchasing renewable projects based in West Virginia. American Electric Power Grid Solutions Director Seth Miller testified the projects fell short of what the company was looking for.

“They either fell out from the risk being too high to our customers or the price was too high or permitting risks or interconnection risks were just to a threshold that we would not have an apetite for,” Miller said.

Short said the West Virginia-based projects have not “passed the due diligence to be in the best interest of our customers.”

Lane shot back.

“How could it be in the best interest of our customers if it’s in Illinois or Virginia but not in West Virginia?”

Short said it already happens with coal-generated electricity.

“The same way it’s in the best interest of Virginia’s customers if they get their electricity from coal plants in West Virginia.”

Appalachian Power has in recent years been approved for the purchases of Amherst Solar Facility in Amherst County, Virginia and Top Hat Wind Facility in Logan County, Illinois.