Swepco To Be Decomissioned In 2015?

[Quillback]

Today's AR Dem Gazette has an article on this, but in a nuthsell, Swepco is required by the EPA (as part of the EPA's war on coal) to install scrubbers to meet the latest EPA emissions requirements. The Arkansas utilities bureau is at this point saying that the installation of scrubbers is insufficient and is asking Swepco to convert the plant to natural gas. Swepco is stating that it would be more effecient to build a new Gas facility rather than convert Swepco. This issue hasn't been decided yet, but final hearings are soon. Swepco is threatening that if they can't install scrubbers they will shut down the Flint Creek plant in 2015.

Flint Creek supplies NW Arkansas with 50% of its power.

If the option is to build a new gas plant it could be located anywhere in the region, potentially costing local jobs.

No matter what option is chosen, if you live in NW AR your electricity rates are going up, just a question of how much.

[Stump bumper]

[jeb]

I know a couple of guys that work there, and they've been telling me about that possibility for a while now. We reap what we sow when we have politicians that are more interested in a "green" agenda than good jobs and healthy economy. Sad state of affairs.

[Feathers and Fins]

Agreed Jeb,

But here is the interesting question if it is shutdown how can we pressure AGFC to buy all the property and turn it into a public area for all time. Great chance to turn a loss into something good for the community.

[J-Doc]

I second that.

Good idea F&F. I doubt the AGFC would be willing to invest into it though.

So with that said, what WOULD happen to the lake? A private buyer? Surely the city of Gentry would look into buying the property and making it "Lake Gentry" or something. This is sad. I really like that lake. It's the only power plant lake around and it's a great little fishery.

[jeb]

Agreed Jeb,

But here is the interesting question if it is shutdown how can we pressure AGFC to buy all the property and turn it into a public area for all time. Great chance to turn a loss into something good for the community.

It already is open the public, but I'm not sure it would have the appeal it does now anyway if the plant closes. It will just be a matter of time until the Florida strain bass die off (maybe the first winter?). It'd just be another small lake in the area, I'd guess.

[jeb]

Waking up a couple of month old thread here.

Talked to my buddy last night that works at the plant. They just started a 10 week shutdown for maint. So the lake is fixing to cool of a bunch in the next few weeks!

But he was saying this is an odd shutdown for them. Normally, it's a flurry of activity to get everything 100%. Now, they're looking much closer at what really needs maint and what can possibly wait, since there is a lot of uncertainty about if the plant will remain open. He said the politicians and big money are wrestling around in Little Rock to decide the plants future. But one thing seems certain, if the politicians shut them down from using coal, the plant will close, not convert to gas. They will likely build a new plant, just not in Arkansas as the state is very power unfriendly. Hard to believe that would be true about Arkansas, but I guess politics trumps jobs. Would impact something near 500 jobs directly counting contractors, not to mention put a hurting on Gentry's economy, and costing the state a lot of taxes from those lost jobs and closed business.

[Stump bumper]

That has been such a battle for a long time with the dumping of the coal ash and rumors of a cancer ring around the dumping. Then there is the side that using natural gas uses up energy that we could use in our homes and cars and was illegal until a few years ago.

I am from a small town on the other side of the state that has dried up and almost blown away and I remember back in the 80s when New Balance wanted to relocate to Arkansas and they voted to turn them away because of the chemicals used to make the shoes.

Arkansas is set on being a poor, rural state with the exception of Bentonville where cotton will always be king, thank god for Mississippi.

[Quillback]

The thing is, we'll still get electricity here if Swepco shuts down, but it will cost more. There's smarter ways to do things, but the Arkansas utilities commision may choose to take the dumb route.

[Quillback]

Article in todays paper stating that the state has given Swepco the OK to install new scrubbers and continue operating as a coal fired plant. Bad news is that rates will go up an average of 3%..