Bechtel Corporation pulls plug on Renovo Energy Center project
Faced with ongoing appeals from environmental groups , Renovo Energy Center (REC) has decided to discontinue its plan for a $1 billion gas to electric power plant that was to be built in the borough at the former Renovo Industrial Park.
REC informed the Clinton County Economic Partnership of the decision on Thursday, said Partnership President Mike Flanagan, who termed the news as “sad and disappointing.”
REC’s consultants first approached county officials nine years ago. Two years ago, the Clean Air Council, Penn Future and the Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal against the Department of Environmental Resources and REC over the air quality permit that was approved for the plant. Only until recently did the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board schedule a hearing date on the matter that could have extended into October. The involved parties were recently asked by the environmental hearing judge to discuss settlement talks, but to no avail. Faced with the lack of settlement talks, the project was officially scrapped.
REC’s release, issued Friday, reads as follows: “Renovo Energy Center LLC will discontinue development of the proposed combined-cycle plant in Renovo, Pa. After more than eight years, we do not see a path to a reasonable conclusion of the project’s air permit appeal, and have made the difficult decision to discontinue development. We are grateful to the people of Renovo for the welcome and support of our team has received over the years.”
Flanagan added, “I don’t know what to say other this it is a very sad, frustrating and disappointing day for the Renovo area and Clinton County. I firmly believe that 98% percent of the people living there wanted this project. It would have been such an economic boost to the area during the 30-month construction time frame, and the taxes for the local taking bodies would have helped out. And we would have had a site cleaned up with private funds.
“But the constant delay tactics won out. It’s just a downright shame. REC has been and would have continued to be great for the community, which sorely needed something like this. And the expected end user would have followed through with that community support. We need to thank REC for its large investment over the years in trying to bring this project to Renovo.”
Flanagan thanked Renovo Mayor Gene Bruno, and Renovo Council and Ann Tarantella for their support, as well as the Renovo Community Trade Association, the Clinton County Commissioners, State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, State Sen. Cris Dush, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Partnership Operating Board and Jim Russo, who was the first one on the ground with the consultants looking for a site. The former railyards was chosen as a potential site because of its proximity to water, natural gas, and the power grids that cross in the area.
