Community Learns More About Proposed Renovo Energy Center (Video Report)

RENOVO – It won’t happen overnight and there are no guarantees it ultimately will happen, but with each passing day the possibility of a significant new Renovo area employer increases.

Up to 200 western Clinton County residents turned out Tuesday night for an informational open house at the Western Clinton County Recreation Center. Presenters were the developers for the Renovo Energy Center, a state of the art gas fired power plant proposed for the old Renovo rail yards.

And those attending learned what the project would mean to the local economy. Eight information stations were set up inside the Rec Center gym and the public circulated among them to learn specifics about the proposal. Onestation touched on the economic impact: construction, if all prior hurdles are cleared, would begin in the second quarter of 2017 and would take 32 months to complete. It would entail a construction force of up to 700 at its peak and REC officials said there would be an emphasis on employing local labor.

Once done the energy center would employ a staff of 20 to 30 during the plant’s 25-plus years’ life expectancy.

REC officials in attendance included Richard Franzese, project development director. He offered a qualified assessment as to the likelihood the energy center will come to fruition, “We are committed to make this happen, although there are still some unknowns, and if it can be built, it will.” In a prepared release he said, “This is an exciting project that will help Pennsylvania meet its power demands in a clean and more efficient manner.” He emphasized that short-term the focus is on working “with the state and local community to obtain the support and approvals required to move the project forward.” He said the energy center project carries a price tag of $700 million to $800 million.

The Renovo Energy Center team is led by Bechtel Development Company, the project development and financing arm of Bechtel Corporation, described as “a leading global engineering, project management and construction company.”

The REC team also touted what was called “significant tax benefits to Clinton County and the Borough of Renovo.” Other topics discussed included the power systems technology being used; air, water and other environmental areas; and the varied jobs that could be available to local residents.

Video Report