Washington State Nixes New Gas-fired Power Plant

LCG, Feb. 19, 2001—The Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council recommended on Friday rejection of an application for a 660 megawatt, gas-fired power plant to be built in the town of Sumas, Wash., near the Canadian border.

The project was proposed by National Energy Systems Co., which has operated a 125 megawatt plant near Sumas for eight years.

The siting council said the Kirkland, Wash.-based developer "has not shown that the plant would produce direct energy or economic benefits to consumers or lead to lower energy costs in Washington or in the region."

But the real reason for the rejection was opposition from U.S. and Canadian environmental groups who contend that the new plant could add to air pollution in British Columbia's Lower Fraser Valley.

Chuck Martin, a vice president of National Energy Systems, said the new plant would have been cleaner than any similar project operating or proposed. "If we can't permit this, I don't understand what projects can be permitted, he said."

The council's recommendation now goes to Washington Gov. Gary Locke, who has 60 days to accept or reject it.

http://www.energyonline.com/news/articles/b19dwa.asp

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), February 19, 2001