June 2, 2010
Abilene Reporter-News
The Reporter-News will bring you exclusive daily coverage of Tenaska air quality hearings starting in Austin today.
Environmental groups and energy experts are expected to spend three to 10 days testifying about air quality issues surrounding the proposed $3.5 billion coal-fired energy plant east of Sweetwater.
The hearings will determine if Tenaska will get the air quality permit it needs to start construction next year.
What: Hearing for Tenaska’s air quality permit application.
When:: Today, 9 a.m. Hearings could last 3-10 days.
Where: State Office of Administrative Hearings in Austin
Why: Tenaska needs this air quality permit to build a $3.5 billion coal-fired energy plant called Trailblazer east of Sweetwater.
TRAILBLAZER FAST FACTS
The "clean coal" plant would produce enough electricity for 600,000 homes and take five years to construct.
Tenaska estimates peak employment of 1,500 jobs and 100 permanent positions.
About 85 to 90 percent of the carbon dioxide by-product would be piped to the Permian Basin for use in oil fields.
Tenaska says environmental impact will remain within state and federal standards.
Many are concerned about the company’s water needs and air emissions.
TRAILBLAZER STATUS
Tenaska has applied for a TCEQ air quality permit and could be approved next month.
Tenaska requested to buy as much as 2 million gallons a day of treated wastewater from the city of Abilene. Mayor Norm Archibald said the City Council likely will make a decision later this summer.
About 2,400 acres nine miles east of Sweetwater has been purchased adjacent to existing railroads sufficient for coal transport.
Tenaska has consulted various vendors interested in buying the carbon dioxide by-product.
Nolan County approved a property tax abatement for Trailblazer, but Tenaska is still hoping to benefit financially from federal carbon capture incentives, such as carbon sequestration tax credits, loan guarantees and collaborative grants.
Tenaska still must sign an interconnection agreement with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) in late 2010, but an initial study reveals the plant would not negatively impact transmission in Nolan, Taylor, Scurry, Sterling and Coke counties and additional transmission facilities may not be needed
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