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Updated: 5:47 PM Dec 2, 2008
More Jobs, Cleaner Air Coming to Pulaski County
A power plant in southern Kentucky will undergo a major renovation in two years, resulting in hundreds of temporary jobs and pollution control devices to clean the air. Posted: 5:34 PM Dec 2, 2008Reporter: Phil Pendleton Email Address: phil.pendleton@wkyt.com |
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It's a major supplier of electricity, enough to power homes in 30 cities the size of Somerset.
The John Sherman Cooper Power Plant burns 1 million tons of coal a year, which releases potentially harmful substances into the air.
But Tuesday, an announcement of some new equipment to clean that air was made.
“It's like putting a catalytic converter on a car. We're putting it on a plant,” said Nick Comer with East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
The "pollution-control" equipment will cost $324 million and take 2 years to complete once construction starts in 2010.
Officials say it will take a workforce of up to 400 to install the devices, and many of those workers will live in Somerset, which is seen as a big boost to the local economy.
“Anytime you have people coming into your community for 2 to 4 years, what a great addition. They're going to eat in our restaurants, stay in motels, rent our houses,” said Jack Keeney with the Somerset/Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.
The project could affect some East Kentucky electric bills, but officials say they don't know by how much.
“When the equipment goes into operation in 2012, it could have impact on rates, yes,” said Comer.
Officials say the new equipment will reduce sulfur dioxide by 95% and nitrogen oxide by 80%.
The pollution control equipment project came about as the result of an agreement finalized last year between East Kentucky Power and the Environmental Protection Cabinet.
Latest Comments
And after the project is over things go back to the way they were.The only way Pulaski county will become an economic viable area is for it to go wet.This will not only bring in much better eating establisjhments but it will also bring more buisnesses to the area.Time to get out of the dark ages and look to the future for this county
[ Report Abuse ]
Good and here is something that Obama can and should support unlike Bush he has a vision.
[ Report Abuse ]
More money out of our pockets, for nothing is what this is.
[ Report Abuse ]
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