PHOTO CAPTION: PowerSouth prepares to move the natural gas substation (foreground) to a new location (background) as part of the construction phase for the new units at Plant McIntosh. 

ANDALUSIA, ALA. – The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) issued a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) last week, clearing the way for construction to begin on PowerSouth’s Plant McIntosh Units 4 and 5.

The FONSI came after a year of studies, testing and permitting to ensure the new units would not harm or significantly alter the environment.

Studies, field work and analyses done in Summer 2008, culminating in an Alternatives Report submitted to RUS in October 2008, involved numerous considerations, including impact on PowerSouth’s transmission system, availability of water and fuel supply, topography, land acquisition, and rights-of-way issues. Soil, geological and environmental surveys, and title searches were also conducted to determine site suitability.

From a field of 17 possibilities, PowerSouth determined the McIntosh site to be the most favorable for plant construction. Proximity to the existing McIntosh Power Plant, transmission facilities and fuel supply were among the chief considerations of the site.

“We have thoroughly evaluated our options for meeting our capacity deficit in 2011,” said Damon Morgan, PowerSouth Vice President of Power Supply. “We have determined that adding these units at our McIntosh site is in the best interest of PowerSouth, our distribution members and the communities we serve.”

A public scoping meeting was held in November 2008 to allow the public to comment on PowerSouth’s plans to build at the McIntosh site. Information about the project was also featured in area newspapers to update the public throughout the planning process. No negative comments were received, according to Keith Stephens, PowerSouth Environmental Services Manager.

After conducting various studies – such as endangered species, cultural resource and delineated wetlands – PowerSouth submitted an environmental analysis to RUS in April 2009.

PowerSouth secured a synthetic minor air permit for the new units and is planning to add continuous emissions monitors when the units are built, to ensure they operate within air permit regulations.

PowerSouth also amended its existing water discharge permit to cover the new units and will maintain a storm water permit and inspections during the construction phase.

The project will consist of two natural gas-fired simple-cycle units that would provide 360 megawatts, enough to power more than 6,000 homes. The additional units, classified as peaking units, are designed to provide extra electricity during “peak” usage periods, usually short periods of time during early morning or evening hours.

“PowerSouth’s load forecast studies indicate that additional peaking load capacity will be needed in this timeframe to meet our members’ growing energy demand,” Morgan said.

Because of simple-cycle technology’s fuel flexibility and short start-up time, these units are suitable for continuous, peaking and emergency operation.

PowerSouth’s McIntosh Power Plant currently consists of the United States’ only Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) unit and two gas-fired combustion turbines, for a total capacity of 350 megawatts.

Natural gas to fuel the plant will be delivered via an existing 12-inch pipeline. Minor changes may be made to existing infrastructure at a nearby gas delivery and storage point to ensure a reliable, economical fuel supply, but Morgan said these changes will occur on existing facilities, with no environmental impact anticipated.

“PowerSouth and our distribution members are committed to ensuring a reliable and economic energy supply to meet our consumers’ needs,” Morgan said. “Planning for future energy requirements is vital to sustaining the growing economies of the communities we serve.”

 

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About PowerSouth:

PowerSouth serves the wholesale energy needs of 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and northwest Florida, with more than a million consumers in 39 Alabama and 10 Florida counties. PowerSouth is dedicated to providing reliable energy at the lowest possible cost to its members.

 

For more information:

Mark Ingram, Corporate Communication Manager

334.427.3330

mark.ingram@powersouth.com

www.powersouth.com

 

PowerSouth is an EEO and AAP employer