NEW POWER PLANT PLANNED FOR GRIMES COUNTY

  

An Omaha-based energy company is set to construct a new power plant in Grimes County.

Tenaska was issued a greenhouse gas permit by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorizing it to build a power plant in Roans Prairie, expected to generate 150 construction jobs and 10 full-time positions.

Tenaska,already owns and operates the Tenaska Frontier Generating Station constructed near Shiro in the 1990s, and plans to locate three gas-fired turbines off Texas 30 capable of providing up to 694 megawatts of energy.

The electricity produced will be used to supplement the Electric Reliability Council of Texas power grid during peak demand and will only be used as needed.

Grimes County Precinct 4 Commissioner Pam Finke said the power plant is a welcomed addition to the community.

Finke said she's been told the company plans to hire local contractors for the project and she anticipates the plant will have a positive financial impact on the area.

According to EPA officials, it's expected the project will bring $607 million in economic development.