From the 1/19/07 Dispatch:

 

AEP's clean-coal plant delayed

Utility seeks six more months before starting work in Meigs County

Friday, January 19, 2007

Paul Wilson

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

American Electric Power will delay building a clean-coal plant in Meigs County for at least six months and wants to do the same at a twin project in West Virginia.

 

Both 629-megawatt plants would use technology considered crucial to address global warming and growing energy demands.  But studies of the two sites along the Ohio River found that the projects would cost more than AEP expected, because of rising steel, concrete and labor costs, the utility said.

 

Last week, AEP told Ohio officials about the delay and also requested extra time in West Virginia, where an extension is subject to regulatory approval. 

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/01/19/20070119-G1-02.html

 

From the 1/21/07 Gallipolis Daily Tribune:

 

AEP tackles cost projections on clean coal plants

By Brian J. Reed

Sunday, January 21, 2007 5:22 PM EST

 

POMEROY - American Electric Power will work with the designers of its proposed clean-coal power plants in Meigs and Mason counties to reduce anticipated construction costs, before proceeding with a cost recovery application through the state.

 

AEP spokesman Jeff Rennie confirmed that the electric company plans to spend the next six months working with General Electric and Bechtel Corp. to lower the projected costs of construction on plants it plans to build in the two counties.

 

The Great Bend plant proposed for a 1,600-acre site in Lebanon Township, and another like it to be built in Mason County, W.Va., were first expected to cost $1.3 billion each. Rennie said AEP has not announced the latest cost projection, but confirmed that the rising cost of labor and building materials put the estimated cost over that original estimate.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2007/01/21/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 1/26/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AMP-Ohio project moving forward

By Beth Sergent

Friday, January 26, 2007 5:00 PM EST

 

LETART FALLS - American Municipal Power-Ohio's (AMP-Ohio) American Municipal Power Generating Station (AMPGS) power plant proposed for Letart Falls continues to move forward according to AMP-Ohio officials and Rep. Jimmy Stewart (R-Meigs) who this week visited the company's headquarters in Columbus.

 

Stewart described the AMPGS plant as, “Probably the largest capital investment ever made in the history of Meigs County.”  At this point the plant is expected to cost between $1.5 and $2 billion due to the increase in construction costs.

 

According to Kent D. Carson, director of member relations for AMP-Ohio, it could be late 2008, early 2009 before any actual construction begins at the site.  AMP-Ohio estimates the AMPGS plant will go online in 2012 with the plant's second unit going online in 2013.  Of course all these dates hinge on the ongoing permitting process.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/26/news/local_news/news04.txt

 

From the 2/23/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AMP signs engineering contract for Letart project

By Brian J. Reed

Friday, February 23, 2007 5:14 PM EST

 

POMEROY - American Municipal Power-Ohio has signed a contract with R.W. Beck to serve as the owner's engineer for the American Municipal Power Generating Station project in Meigs County.

 

Officials with AMP-Ohio announced the contract at a meeting Thursday in Pomeroy with U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Bridgeport.  Wilson visited the AMP-Ohio site in Letart Township following a visit earlier in the day to Piketon.  Wilson, who was assigned to the House Science and Technology Committee, said he had talked about the planned power plant across the Sixth District, and wanted to see the site for himself.

 

The proposed project is a coal-fired power plant and associated transmission line to be constructed on the Ohio River. AMP-Ohio, along with development partners the Blue Ridge Power Agency and the Michigan South Central Power Agency, are currently in the permitting process for the facility.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 3/22/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

OSU study examines potential impact of plants, mining

By Brian J. Reed

Thursday, March 22, 2007 5:12 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - Construction and operation of two proposed power plants will contribute $470 million to the economy of southeastern Ohio and support 901 new jobs during a four-year construction period, a study by The Ohio State University shows.

 

The results of the study were announced earlier this week at a presentation in Pomeroy.  The study was completed by OSU Economist Greg Davis, with support from Meigs County Commissioners, AEP, and the OSU departments of agriculture, environment and development.  The study area included Meigs and the six surrounding counties of Athens, Gallia, Vinton, and Washington, and Jackson and Mason counties in West Virginia.

 

The study indicates the proposed American Electric Power and American Municipal Power-Ohio projects, once they begin actual operation, will add 534 new jobs to the regional economy through direct and indirect positions.  Over $272 million of spending will be added annually to the regional economy through direct and value-added impacts.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/03/22/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 4/15/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

Siting board to consider AEP proposal

By Brian J. Reed

Sunday, April 15, 2007 5:41 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - The Ohio Power Siting Board will meet next week and consider American Electric Power Ohio's application to locate a clean-coal power plant in Lebanon Township.  The OPSB has ultimate authority in determining whether the utility company can construct its proposed plant on property it owns near the Ritchie Bridge.  The OPSB will meet in regular session on April 23 to consider AEP's application.

 

The board conducted a public hearing on AEP's application late last year in Pomeroy, and an evidentiary hearing earlier this year. AEP spokesman Jeff Rennie said there is no stated time schedule for a decision from the OPSB.  He said there will be no evidence or testimony presented at next week's meeting, but an AEP attorney will be on hand to discuss any questions that might arise from the application.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/04/15/news/local_news/news02.txt

 

From the 4/24/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

OPSB approves siting of AEP plant in Meigs

By Charlene Hoeflich

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:40 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved AEP-Ohio's proposal to site an electric generation facility in the Great Bend community along the Ohio River in Meigs County.

 

The action to approve AEP's application which was filed more than a year ago was taken by the OPSB at its Monday afternoon meeting and announced in a news release from that agency.

 

The agreement, approved by the Board late yesterday, includes 36 specific conditions that the company must meet to remediate the environmental and economic impacts presented by the construction and operation of the facility.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/04/24/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 4/25/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

Siting board decision is ‘critical step' in Great Bend plant

By Brian J. Reed

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:39 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - The Ohio Power Siting Board's approval of the location proposed for a new IGCC power plant in Lebanon Township is a “major step forward” in plans to locate the project here, Meigs County Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe said.

 

The OPSB approved AEP-Ohio's proposal at a regular meeting on Monday, based on an application AEP filed over a year ago.  The 11-member OPSB reviews applications for the siting of large electric and natural gas facilities in Ohio.

 

AEP and local officials have considered the OPSB permit process a major step in locating the power plant at Great Bend.  AEP corporate spokesman Jeff Rennie said AEP is “very pleased” with the OPSB's decision to approve the Lebanon Township site.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/04/25/news/local_news/news03.txt

 

From the 5/8/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AMP-Ohio files permit applications

By Beth Sergent

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 5:36 PM EDT

 

LETART FALLS - On Friday, American Municipal Power-Ohio (AMP-Ohio) filed applications for several permits associated with the proposed American Municipal Power Generation Station (AMPGS) in Letart Falls. 

 

Included in these recent filings was the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) permit application for the generation facility.  The OPSB Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need is required before installation of a new electric generating or transmission facility in Ohio.  AMP-Ohio held a public informational meeting, as required by state law late last year prior to filing the OPSB permit.  A separate application for the transmission line will be filed at a later date.

 

Also filed on Friday, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Solid Waste Permit-to-Install (PTI).  According to Kent Carson, director of communications for AMP-Ohio, this permit must be obtained from the OEPA before the residual solid waste facility can be constructed.  Carson added a PTI outlines how the facility will comply with Ohio's siting, design, construction, monitoring and operational requirements.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/05/08/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 5/13/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

Voinovich finds merit in energy projects

By Brian J. Reed

Sunday, May 13, 2007 5:23 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - Efforts to locate two state-of-the-art power plants in Meigs County are good examples of how Appalachia can help the United States become less dependent on foreign oil, U.S. Sen. George Voinovich said.

 

Voinovich made a day-long tour of Meigs and Athens counties a week ago as part of his work to encourage re-authorization of the Appalachian Regional Commission. He is the lead sponsor in the U.S. Senate of legislation to reauthorize ARC at $510.9 million over five years.

 

Voinovich hosted a roundtable discussion with local leaders and representatives of American Municipal Power-Ohio and American Electric Power-Ohio about two planned clean-coal power plants in Meigs County.

 

MORE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/05/13/news/local_news/news02.txt

 

From the 5/21/07 Cincinnati Business Courier:

 

Companies tap small Ohio area for coal-to-liquid fuel

Meigs County could host 3 plants, $6B investment

Cincinnati Business Courier - May 18, 2007

by Dan Monk

Senior Staff Reporter

 

Meigs County seems an unlikely place for a construction boom.  Nestled in the foothills of Southeast Ohio, this 26,000-person county is known for its floral trade, Civil War re-enactments and tourist destinations that tout themselves as being "light on commercialism, heavy on charm."

 

But rising oil prices and a changing regulatory climate in Columbus and Washington, D.C., could make Meigs County Ohio's leading producer of coal-to-liquid fuel.  Three companies are evaluating investments totaling $6 billion on the Meigs County riverfront.  All would turn Ohio coal into diesel or other liquid fuels for use in power plants or to supply military contracts.

 

"It's only in the last few years to where it's economically feasible to build plants like this.  You need oil prices to be somewhere in the $50 per barrel range to make this profitable," said Perry Varnadoe, director of the Meigs County Economic Development Office.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/05/21/story7.html

 

From the 5/22/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AEP permit application on hold

By Brian J. Reed

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 5:36 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has suspended review of a permit application from American Electric Power for its proposed plant at Great Bend in Lebanon Township.

 

AEP is seeking EPA approval for water quality impacts and a Section 401 water quality certification associated with the proposed 600-megawatt power plant at the intersection of U.S. 33 and Ohio 338 along the Ohio River. 

According to the EPA, AEP asked the application be suspended to allow sufficient time to recalculate impacts to surface water from a planned re-design of a proposed landfill area that is part of the project.

 

In a news release issued Monday, the EPA said it will await word from AEP to restart review of the application.  A public hearing on the EPA application was held in March in Pomeroy.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/05/22/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 5/31/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AMP-Ohio to hold meeting on landfill permit

By Beth Sergent

Thursday, May 31, 2007 5:47 PM EDT

 

RACINE - American Municipal Power-Ohio (AMP-Ohio) will hold a public meeting on its proposed landfill permit application with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to its proposed coal-fired power plant, the American Municipal Power-Ohio Generating Station (AMPGS) in Letart Falls.  The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday at Southern Elementary School in the cafetorium.

 

“The public will be able to ask questions but this is not a hearing where offical testimony will be taken,” Kent Carson, AMP-Ohio director of communications said. “This is an opportunity for people to be more informed should the EPA hold an official hearing.”

 

The informal meeting will include an overview on the plant itself by Scott Kiesewetter, project manager, followed by an AMP-Ohio consulting engineer giving an overview of the technical aspects of the landfill.  Independent of AMP-Ohio will be Brian Queen of the Ohio EPA to explain the permitting process, the EPA's role and the public's opportunity for responding to concerns through the agency.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/05/31/news/local_news/news01.txt

 

From the 6/5/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AMP-Ohio commits to use of Powerspan

By Beth Sergent

Tuesday, June 5, 2007 5:19 PM EDT

 

LETART FALLS - American Municipal Power-Ohio (AMP-Ohio) has committed to the use of Powerspan emissions control technology on the proposed American Municipal Power Generating Station (AMPGS) Project which will result in around 16 additional, permanent jobs.

 

AMP-Ohio has also executed a memorandum of understanding with The Andersons, Inc. to process and market the ammonium sulfate fertilizer by-product of the Powerspan process. Kent Carson, director of communications at AMP-Ohio, said which entity will employ the 16 employees, AMP-Ohio or The Andersons, Inc., has yet to be decided.

 

According to its website, The Andersons, Inc., is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of US agriculture as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production and general merchandise retailing.  Founded in Maumee, the company operates in seven states.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/06/05/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 6/19/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AEP: Great Bend plant delayed to 2017

By Brian J. Reed

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 5:15 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - American Electric Power does not expect its proposed Great Bend plant to be operational for at least 10 years, due to delays from a legal challenge pending in the Ohio Supreme Court.  AEP Spokesman Jeff Rennie confirmed a report that AEP's proposed IGCC plant, to be built in Meigs County, might not be operational until 2017.  AEP has notified the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio it will not make any more additional filings for cost recovery on the Meigs project until the case now pending in the state's high court is resolved.

 

A twin project planned for Mason County, W.Va. is still on schedule.  There have been no legal challenges in West Virginia, and AEP now hopes to have that plant running by mid-2012. 

 

The Office of the Ohio Consumers Council and an industrial energy users group has challenged the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's decision that allows recovery of $23.7 million from customers for the Front-End Engineering and Design study for the project.  The opponents of the PUCO's decision argue that state law does not allow cost recovery for generation projects.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/06/19/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

From the 6/20/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel:

 

AEP says commitment to Meigs IGCC is unchanged

By Brian J. Reed

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 5:18 PM EDT

 

POMEROY - In a filing Monday with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, American Electric Power said plans to move operation of its Great Bend plant to 2017 is due to the uncertainty of the Ohio Supreme Court's ruling on challenges to proposed cost recovery, but said “the landscape for building new generation in Ohio remains uncertain.”  Construction could be moved up if a favorable Supreme Court decision is rendered and cost recovery is approved.

 

An AEP attorney filed a status report with the PUCO on its proposal to build an IGCC clean-coal generating plant on property the company owns in Lebanon Township, the same day AEP filed documents with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to proceed with construction of a $2.23 billion “twin” project to be built in Mason County.  There are no projected regulatory hurdles in West Virginia, and that plant could be operating as soon as 2012.

 

“The projected 2017 in-service date for the Ohio plant in no way demonstrates a reduction in the companies' commitment to the (Ohio) project,” the Monday filing said.  “The 2017 in-service date recognizes the uncertainty of the Supreme Court opinion.  (AEP) would plan to move up the 2017 date upon receiving a favorable Supreme Court of Ohio opmion and necessary cost recovery regulatory approvals in Ohio.”

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/06/20/news/local_news/news00.txt

 

Budget crunch postpones any courthouse expansion plans

By Brian J. Reed, Pomeroy Daily Sentinel

Friday, March 19, 2010

 

POMEROY — County Commissioner Mick Davenport said financial concerns have placed any immediate plans to address a shortage of space in the county courthouse on hold.  Davenport agreed with Judge L. Scott Powell, who said earlier this year any study into how space needs might be addressed, either through new construction or re-assignment of space, will be delayed until funds are available to consult an architect for plans.

 

Last year, Powell met with commissioners to recommend some type of study to determine if an addition to the courthouse would be possible or practical in addressing a growing lack of usable space.  Powell discussed requirements for court facilities set forth by the Ohio Supreme Court, and how the historic Pomeroy courthouse is unable to accomodate some of those requirements.

 

In September, Judge Powell met with commissioners after he and Judge Story met informally with a Gallipolis architect to look over the courthouse and land around it.  A very informal proposal was even discussed, that of a two-story structure between the courthouse and historic sheriff’s office, which might address security problems in the building.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://mydailysentinel.com/view/full_story/6769052/article-Budget-crunch-postpones-any-courthouse-expansion-plans

Meigs Co. still option for AMP - Decision about plant expected in June

By Charlene Hoeflich, Pomeroy Daily Sentinel

Saturday, April 3, 2010

 

POMEROY — An American Municipal Power plant (AMP) may still be built in Meigs County, according to Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe, who spoke to members of the Retired PERI Association Friday.

 

He said a decision on a proposed $700 million gas-fired facility is expected to be made by the first of June, and noted that his office continues to work with AMP-Ohio in an effort to facilitate the process.  Different ways of bringing gas to the site are now being explored, he said.

 

The required state permits to construct a coal-fired plant secured by AMP-Ohio over the past couple of years can be transferred to the smaller gas version, according to Varnadoe, noting that “while the proposed gas plant will be a smaller project, it will still be a very good one for Meigs County.”

 

Full article: http://mydailysentinel.com/view/full_story/6933887/article-Meigs-Co--still-option-for-AMP---Decision-about-plant-expected-in-June?instance=secondary_stories_left_column

Flooding in Pomeroy:

http://meigsindypress.com/2018/02/18/images-of-flooding-in-pomeroy-ohio/

Ugh, I hate seeing that.  It's a great little town.

 

Hocking Hills area hosting new cannabis festival, set on 80-acres property

 

Multiple days of live music, a cannabis farmers market and 80 scenic acres to explore near the Hocking Hills.

 

The recreational legalization of Cannabis has already brought a great deal to the Buckeye State, and now, a unique new music festival is coming too.

 

The first-annual Stargazer Cannabis Music Festival will be held July 26-28 in Pomeroy, Ohio. 

 

Billed as a “celebration of cannabis near picturesque Hocking Hills, Ohio on 80 acres of breathtaking natural beauty,” the new event will merge cannabis culture and a complete farmers market dedicated to growing and purchasing cannabis products.

 

-614now

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 20241 yr by Luvcbus

^Good for them! Back when I lived in Athens County, "Meigs County Gold" was pretty popular.