Renovo Energy: Plan Approval Application Filed with State
RENOVO – A participant in the proposal to build a natural gas to electricity plant in Renovo has filed notice of its project intent with the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Therecord-online has learned that local officials were informed last month of the application filing from Power Engineers Inc of Freeport, ME. That step is the most recent in a continuing effort to proceed with the Renovo Energy Center (REC) facility on the old rail yard site on the north side of Renovo.
The letter to local officials said Power Engineers “is submitting a Plan Approval Application…for the construction and operation of a dual fuel fire (natural gas and ultra-low sulfur diesel) combined-cycle electric generating plant” to be located in Renovo.
The letter details what the project will consist of: “two identical 1-on-1 power blocks consisting of a combustion turbine and a steam turbine in line to produce electricity for distribution into the transmission grid system. The letter says REC is requesting a plan approval that will allow three optional plant configurations, each having a different equipment manufacturer. These are identified as General Electric, Siemens and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems America, Inc.
Power writes that a final decision on which manufacturer will be selected will be based on pricing, performance, design considerations and delivery schedule after a plan approval has been issued by the state. “REC will submit a written request to the DEP to withdraw two of the three options prior to the start of construction.”
No prospective start-up date is listed for the project but local officials have indicated that if final approvals are received, construction is still at least a year away. Clinton County Economic Partnership chief executive officer Mike Flanagan said at the Wednesday night Partnership annual meeting that “due diligence” continues on the project and “we are entering the back nine” towards making the energy plant a reality.
Power Engineers told local officials the notice to them is in accordance with state regulations in order to pursue such a project. The Plan Approval Application may be reviewed by making arrangements with DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office (AirQuality) on West Third Street in Williamsport.
