Home | Back

City sticking with coal plant

Share_print Print Story    |    Comments    |   

November 15, 2009

by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- The city's public works director says a new coal-fired plant that will eventually provide the city with a portion of its electrical power is on schedule and on budget.

Public Works Director Priscilla Blanchard told Council Nov. 10 although some permits for the new plant are under appeal by the Sierra Club and Ohio Citizen Action environmental groups, the construction for the American Municipal Power Generating Station project in Meigs County is proceeding on schedule.

AMP disputes the Columbus-based Sierra Club's claims that the plant is not on schedule, and the city's involvement in the plant would lead to higher electric rates for its residents.

The city is siding with AMP. Literature from AMP, which was distributed to Council members, states, "The Sierra Club comparison of long-term project costs to current, short-term electric costs in a recession is wholly inappropriate."

Blanchard said the plant will eventually supply the city with 6 megawatts of power a day, which represents about 18 percent to 25 percent of the city's normal daily power demands.

AMP represents 81 communities in Ohio, including Hudson, and other states. It buys electricity wholesale, while cities like Hudson buy a percentage to meet its residents' needs.

Blanchard said because of AMP recommendations for its electrical power portfolio, the city hasn't raised its electric rates since 1998.

AMP's strategy involves a portfolio of different resources and staggered terms. Long-term needs are locked in at fixed rates, but a portion of Hudson energy needs are uncommitted to take advantage of low prices or energy efficient initiatives.

"I think the strategy we're following is very good," Blanchard said.

Hudson City Council approved a 50-year contract with AMP-Ohio to participate in the AMPGS project in October 2007. The AMPGS will be a 960-megawatt plant, and Hudson would own 6 megawatts of that power. The plant is scheduled to be on line in 2014 or 2015. The project is estimated to cost $3.25 billion.

The city of Hudson averages 24 to 33 megawatts daily with peak demands, usually in the summer, of 47 megawatts.

"Hudson is not growing residentially, but our peak demand increased every year," Blanchard said.

Blanchard said the new plant will provide the cleanest air to date to keep up with changes in legislation.

Council President David Basil said the AMPGS plant partially replaces 10.3 megawatts of power from a 1950 coal plant, Richard H. Gorsuch Station, of which the city has an ownership share with an environmentally-friendly facility.

Council member Kristina Roegner said the AMPGS plant fits the city's power portfolio in three factors -- it is reliable and meets the power needs of the base load, it is cost competitive and it is environmentally friendly.

Council member Hal DeSaussure said he was amazed anyone could build a power plant.

"There are groups out there that just want to shut it down," DeSaussure said. "We need to be able to generate a lot of electricity on demand in a moment of time. Solar and wind don't have the ability to do that."

DeSaussure said environmental groups that oppose the AMPGS plant don't offer reliable alternatives.

Council member Doug Hasbrouck said if the city purchased power off the grid or open market network that provides consumers with electricity from suppliers, the price would be unpredictable.

Hydroelectric power

Blanchard said the city also has its first opportunity to purchase additional power from a hydroelectric plant.

Blanchard said the city is predicted to increase its need for electrical power by 1 to 2 percent per year, and the market is low, so it is a good time to take advantage of purchasing power and locking in the price.

Blanchard said the city's strategy was to secure a base load and be responsive to new technology.

"The percentage of renewable power could increase in the future if it makes sense," Roegner said.

AMP recommended purchasing 4.4 megawatts of hydroelectric power, but a consultant recommended only 0.5 megawatts.

Council members said they were interested in 1 megawatt of power and asked city officials to explore that option and present information to them.

"It's a step in the right direction," Basil said. "We can explore the 1 megawatt of power and take action by the end of the year."

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150




Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Hudsonhubtimes.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.

Login above or Register to comment.
 0 Total Comments Home | Back