CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — New Appalachian Power Co. President Chris Beam says the utility doesn't plan to build coal plants anytime soon and that electricity from renewable energy sources is what potential business customers want.

Beam is a Wheeling native who understands the role of coal in West Virginia's economy and culture. He said Appalachian Power still relies on large coal-fired plants, yet historic changes in the electric power industry are occurring nationwide.

"We know that coal is king in West Virginia and we aren't naive to that," Beam told the Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly...