Proposed power plant faces DNR scrutiny

Business Today

CRUMP -- The state Department of Natural Resources says it won't permit Kinder Morgan Power Co. to build a plant in Cape Girardeau County without changes to lower the potential for air pollution.

DNR officials in Jefferson City said they don't want the plant to emit nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions, which can cause smog.

The plant would mean more than 200 temporary construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs.

The proposed $250 million, 550-megawatt plant on Route U near Crump would generate electricity with natural gas-powered and steam turbines. David Randall, an engineer in DNR's air pollution control program, said the natural gas combustion turbines typically release high levels of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.

Randall said the DNR wants changes in the design or operation of the plant to restrict the release of such emissions.

But Kinder Morgan executives and the project manager with a Poplar Bluff engineering company insist the proposed plant and others like it are environmentally sound.

"They are extremely clean," said Paul Ridlen, project manager with Smith and Co., the engineering firm.

The power company, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Inc. of Houston, applied to the DNR for a construction permit in December. Company executives and DNR officials have been negotiating since then.

State law requires the agency to decide on a completed application within 184 days, which includes time for a public hearing and 30 days for public comment.

Randall said the application won't be considered complete until an agreement is worked out that would lessen possible air pollution from the operation of the plant.

One possibility, said Randall, is for the company to agree to operate the plant's generators fewer hours. The company wants to operate the generators 5,000 hours a year.

Cape Girardeau County Commission is considering issuing bonds to pay for the plant and land. Kinder Morgan would repay the bonds and receive tax breaks over 10 to 20 years. Work could begin as soon as September with the plant in operation within two years.

The power generated at the plant would be transmitted through AmerenUE lines and sold to utilities across the nation.

The power company has plans to build nine plants, some of which are already under construction in other states.

Kinder said Missouri's clean-air requirements could add $12 million to the cost of the plant if the company has to install equipment to restrict emissions.

That could prompt Kinder Morgan to build the power plant near Jonesboro, Ark., rather than in Cape Girardeau County.