Public Power - January/February 2008 - (Page 21) fired plants. Nitrogen oxide emissions will be 78 percent below the Illinois average, and virtually all particulates will be removed. Finally, carbon dioxide emissions will be approximately 15 percent lower than those of a conventional coal-fired plant. When Michigan-based CMS Energy Corp., the proposed plant operator, pulled out of the project in 2007, the participants had to regroup. They had two options—contract with a third-party firm to staff and operate the plant, or set up an operating company. Thus, the Prairie State Generating Co. was born. The board has begun hiring staff for the company, which will manage the large contracts with Bechtel and other companies, ensuring that construction moves forward. Construction will proceed in phases, beginning with the civil engineering work, which will include earthworks, installation of underground water pipes and laying concrete foundation. Mechanical work, such as the installation of major components, will begin in mid2008, with electrical work starting in 2009. Under the terms of its contract, Bechtel is required to work with the Southwest Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council on plant construction. Unit 1 is expected to begin operating in 2011, unit 2, in 2012. Once fully operational, the plant will provide electricity to more than 2.5 million consumers in nine states. For the Prairie State project participants, this is only the beginning. “We have a bond now,” said IMEA’s Earl. “We’ve formed a business relationship that we didn’t have before. A lot of things will spill over from this project.” As an example, Earl noted a more unified approach by participants on some issues before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “In the past, we might have been dealing with such issues on our own,” he noted. Earl also pointed to the involvement of rural electric cooperatives in the project. “This brings us closer to other consumer-owned utilities.” www.APPAnet.org Is the Prairie State project unique? Or could it be replicated in other parts of the country? “This consortium of public power agencies could have been formed in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri or elsewhere,” said Rick Bowen, president, generation development, Peabody Energy, and Lively Grove Energy Partners’ representative on the Prairie State board of directors. “We firmly believe the Prairie State project is a model that municipal and cooperative power agencies nationwide can follow.” Kentucky’s Clark thinks the experience could be transplanted. “With independent transmission organizations, others can band together as we have. It’s extra work and more responsibility, but most of us are firm believers that no one can mind our business better than we ourselves,” he said. For 130 years, there has been only one company whose name is associated with the highest level of product quality and excellence: The Okonite Company. Time has strengthened our resolve to bring our customers uncompromising programs in service and technology. We are not content to rest on our past achievements and are always developing innovative ways to keep us in the forefront of leadership in the industry. So, if you have not tried Okonite Cables, it's time you found out why we have been the leading supplier of wire and cable products since 1878. For additional information please contact: THE OKONITE COMPANY 102 Hilltop Road, Ramsey, NJ 07446 201.825.0300 Fax: 201.825.9026 E-Mail: okonite.com visit us on the web at www.okonite.com JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008 21 http://www.okonite.com http://www.APPAnet.org
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