EXCLUSIVE: Cheat Lake to be Sold, as 'Willfully Negligent' Eagle Creek Renewable Energy Dumped by Canadians

After two years of controversy, federal scrutiny, and community backlash over deteriorating conditions at Cheat Lake Park & Trail, the company operating Cheat Lake and its hydroelectric dam is now set to be acquired by an American investment firm whose co-founder recently resigned after being tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

Apollo Funds announced that it has agreed to purchase Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, the operator of 85 hydroelectric facilities across 18 states—including the Cheat Lake/Lake Lynn hydroelectric project in Monongalia County. The deal is expected to close around Spring 2026, pending regulatory approval.

The acquisition marks a major shift for Cheat Lake, whose dam, lake and recreation areas have been controlled since 2019 by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), a crown corporation owned by the government of Ontario, Canada. OPG owns Eagle Creek and Cheat Lake through a series of subsidiaries.

Apollo’s press release praised Eagle Creek’s “strong safety and performance track record,” and emphasized the firm’s intention to expand the company’s renewable energy footprint nationwide. But in Cheat Lake, the announcement lands amid a very different local narrative—one defined by allegations of neglect, federal violations, and public distrust. 

West Virginia Locals Fight Back

In a 2025 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission filing, the Save Cheat Lake group announced a new project and advertising campaign targeting all of Eagle Creek’s 85 nationwide dams. One of their goals is to educate and empower community stakeholders on their rights under the Federal Power Act and “assemble their collective influence.”

Additionally, Save Cheat Lake sought to create a new website for the “collection of complaints and evidence of violations from the 85 assets owned by Eagle Creek. Neighbors, users, and employees have a wealth of information and observations, however, the FERC submission process is cumbersome and unintuitive. A unique complaint page for each dam will be easily searchable on Google and help bring in more watchful eyes. These complaints will be forwarded to FERC for investigation and accompanying financial penalties.”

As evident by questions raised during the 2023 public meeting, most folks are confused and lack knowledge that hydroelectric-producing dams and their accompanying waterways are subject to strict federal regulations which protect the public’s recreational use. While private companies operate and control everything about the lake, the corporations ultimately serve at the mercy of the public.

Save Cheat Lake intends to spread this message nationwide to counter Eagle Creek’s “arrogant” attitude—perhaps gaining leverage in the process—stating in their 39-page report, “people, united together, hold the real power.” 

Last Year’s Controversy at Cheat Lake: Land Privatization, Entry Fees, Water Shutoffs, Federal Warnings, Kids Left to Play in Trash, Unsafe Water, and Alleged False Statements

See our Cheat Lake Investigation Part 1 and Part 2.

In August 2025, WVMAD reported that Eagle Creek was considering charging an “entry fee” for access to the Cheat Lake rail trail and park—potentially affecting joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, fishermen, and boaters. The proposal, disclosed by Eagle Creek Vice President Jody Smet in an August 22, 2025 letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was framed as a way to offset the cost of replacing a neglected busted water line that serves the park’s restrooms.

FERC had already warned Eagle Creek on August 7, 2025 that it was legally obligated to provide potable water and functioning restrooms under its federal recreation agreement. The company responded by arguing that water fountains were not “essential,” and suggested visitors could “bring their own” despite federal regulations requiring Eagle Creek to provide potable water.

By October 2025, the situation had escalated. A second WVMAD investigation documented children playing among trash at Millstone Point Beach and widespread deterioration of park facilities. Save Cheat Lake submitted a 39‑page complaint to FERC alleging:

• Gross and willful negligence
• False statements to federal regulators
• Failure to maintain safe public access
• Violations of multiple federal statutes under the Federal Power Act

The Monongalia County Health Department intervened after Eagle Creek placed an indoor‑only water cooler outdoors as a substitute for potable water—despite manufacturer warnings that such use posed safety risks.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito requested that FERC provide her office with findings related to allegations by the Cheat Lake Rotary Club.

Meanwhile, Eagle Creek continued to insist publicly that Cheat Lake Park was “well‑maintained, safe, and welcoming,” a claim contradicted by more than 100 photographs submitted to federal regulators.

The removal of hundreds of acres from federal protection around Cheat Lake’s Park is still outstanding, with locals warning that once the land is removed from the federal boundary, Eagle Creek could legally sell the land and keep the money for themselves. Land around Cheat Lake was seized over a hundred years ago to create the project, and locals refuse to allow a greedy corporation to suddenly swoop in and cash out at West Virginians’ expense. 

A Turning Point for Cheat Lake?

For many residents, the transition from a foreign government‑owned utility to a U.S.-based private investment firm raises cautious optimism.

On February 6, 2026, Save Cheat Lake sent a letter to Apollo’s Communications Department welcoming a “fresh start” and advising Apollo to factor in their pre-purchase due diligence a minimum $1.5 million in immediate future expenditures at Cheat Lake due to the neglected recreation sites requiring “significant repairs and improvements.”

Apollo will inherit Eagle Creek’s ongoing re‑licensing process with FERC, which has not issued a new license since the previous one expired in 2023.

About Apollo, Wikipedia: Apollo Global Management, Inc. is an American asset management firm that primarily invests in alternative assets, with $840 billion of assets under management as of 2025. Apollo was founded in 1990 by Leon Black, Josh Harris, and Marc Rowan, former investment bankers at the defunct Drexel Burnham Lambert. The company is headquartered in the Solow Building in New York City, with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia. Co-founder Leon Black resigned as CEO in 2021 in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations and revelations that he had paid $158 million to Jeffrey Epstein.

Federal law requires dam operators to maintain public access, sanitation, and safety. Apollo’s public commitment to “strengthening operations” may signal a shift in Eagle Creek’s alleged neglectful approach.

After months of silence from OPG and Eagle Creek, residents may expect more transparency from new ownership.

Apollo’s energy transition portfolio—$59 billion committed since 2022—suggests capacity for improvements that have been delayed under OPG.

Still, the acquisition does not automatically resolve the allegations currently before FERC. Any violations, penalties, or compliance orders will transfer to the new owner.

Whether Apollo’s arrival marks a genuine course correction, or simply a change in corporate branding, will become clearer in the next few months as the firm assumes control and FERC releases its long‑delayed environmental assessment of the Cheat Lake/Lake Lynn Project.

What do you think, Morgantown? Will new ownership bring long‑awaited improvements and restore trust in the stewardship of one of the region’s most beloved recreation spots?