Scope of Taylorville Energy Center Revealed
BY CATHY ROBERTSON, BREEZE-COURIER WRITER

January 12, 2007 – TAYLORVILLE, ILL. - An overwhelming show of support greeted the developers of what could be the largest and most environmentally friendly power plant of its kind in the world, a facility that would be located about two miles northeast of Taylorville.

Christian County Generation, LLC, has received preliminary approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to build a plant that will produce electricity using integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology, a cleaner way to convert coal to energy. But before the agency can make a final determination, public opinion must be heard.

The IEPA Bureau of Air conducted such a hearing Thursday at Taylorville High School.

The first to speak was Taylorville Mayor Frank Mathon who gave the project his wholehearted support. He called the proposed $1.5 billion investment a significant economic development for Taylorville and central Illinois that would provide opportunities for a variety of labor unions and encourage growth in related industries.

David Kolata, executive director of CUB, the Citizens Utility Board, proclaimed the project a "win, win, win" for the state of Illinois.

"It's good for economic development, good for the environment, and good for the consumer as it provides a way to hedge against volatile market prices," he said, adding that CUB was actively building a coalition in favor of coal gasification as soon as possible. "We certainly want iron in the ground soon."

A member of the Clean Air Task Force concurred. John W. Thompson, director of the task force's Coal Transition Project, addressed two issues related to his organization's focus on atmospheric air pollution: particulate matter in the air that is linked to premature death and carbon dioxide emissions linked to global warming.

"This plant is fundamentally different than the coal plants here in the U.S. It is fundamentally different than the bulk of coal plants to be built in the U.S. and around the world. It is inherently cleaner than the coal plants we've become accustomed to in this country.

Among the six or seven IGCC plants proposed nationwide, the Taylorville Energy Center is the first to receive a draft, or preliminary, permit for construction.

"It sets the standard for what coal technology can be around the world," Thompson said. "Pollutants (from the proposed plant) are significantly, even radically, lower than other plants in production today."

Taylorville Energy Center would have to operate 65 continuous years to equal the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted in one year from the average coal fired plant operating in Illinois today, he said. The reduction in pollutants would hold true for other plant emissions as well.

"It is imperative that this plant gets a permit because it sets the standard for all plants that will follow. It is imperative that it goes into operation because the day it goes into operation, the other 500 coal plants in operation become obsolete," he said.

"Here in 2007, we can't predict the significance of this plant," Thompson continued. "It may have global significance."

It is the first IGCC in the world of significant size to reach draft permit status, he explained. The plant would produce 630 megawatts of electricity while other IGCC facilities around the world produce less than 300 MW, making the facility the first to reach a size electric utilities would consider commercially significant.

"It is quite possible that people from around the world will be coming to your community to learn how it works," Thompson told the hundreds who crowded the room.

One contingent present, however, was less receptive.

Spokespersons from the Sierra Club questioned provisions for handling hazardous waste created in production and for long term care of the site.

Becky Clayborne, a regional representative for the club's Midwest Clean Energy Campaign, asked the IEPA panel whether alternative energy sources were considered in Christian County Generation's proposal for the Taylorville Energy Center.

"None were submitted," replied Christopher Romaine, manager of IEPA's Construction/Utility Unit, Air Permit Section. "We believe coal gasification is an important part of the suite of energy for Illinois, the nation, and the globe."

Did the developers look at wind potential, Clayborne wondered.

"Wind does not provide continuous power," Romaine replied.

Wind generation could supplement this plant, but ideally it should be used with other plants that don't have the modern technology of the Taylorville center, he explained.

"IEPA does not see it as essential for this project," Romaine said.

"Sierra Club does," countered Clayborne.

Labor union members from the United Mine Workers of American, the IBEW, the AFL-CIO, Plumbers, Pipefitters and more attended in large numbers.

Mike Zahn, business manager for Operating Engineers Local 965, praised the plant design which he said would allow for easy modification when newer technologies are developed. He estimated that the 1000 construction jobs would create a $443 million payroll. Accompanying jobs could account for over $200 million, while workers direct employed at the plant would bring in $16.6 million annually.

The proposed Taylorville Energy Center is owned by Christian County Generation, LLC, which is jointly owned by Tenaska, Inc. and MDL Holding Co., LLC. MDL formed when The ERORA Group, initial developers of the Taylorville project, restructured and sold off some assets including the company name, said David Schwartz.

Schwartz, a principal with The ERORA Group and currently part of MDL, stated that, if the IEPA permit is issued, the project would move on to final engineering, financing, and contracting. Construction could begin as soon as the end of this year with commercial operation possible by 2011.