BOLLINGER COUNTY HAS MUCH TO GAIN FROM PLANT

An announcement last week that a Texas-based company may build a $200 million, peak-energy power plant in Bollinger County offers a ray of hope to a county that could use the economic benefits the plant would bring.

The Bollinger County Commission is negotiating with Duke Energy North America, which would pay money to the county in lieu of taxes if it decides to build the plant in Bollinger County. With an assessed valuation of just $78 million, Bollinger County has found it difficult to make ends meet because of the lack of major business and industrial developments that generate tax revenue.

Duke Energy, which also is considering a site in Missouri's Adrian County and other locations nationwide, wants to build a plant to generate electricity during periods of peak demand and sell the electricity to other utilities. The company says studies show an increased need for peaking plants.

The plant would generate electricity with eight natural gas-powered turbines, and that is one reason why the Bollinger County site is so attractive. Duke Energy has an option on 63 acres of land along Highway 34 eight miles east of Marble Hill. The site offers easy access to Texas Easter's natural gas pipeline and major electrical transmission lines.

The county wouldn't have to build any new roads or other facilities to accommodate the plant. Duke would build the plant under a state law that allows the county to own it on paper, and that permits the company to pay money to the county in lieu of real estate or personal property taxes.

The company says the plant could be under construction in June with completion scheduled for June 2001. It would provide between 200 and 300 jobs while it is being built.

Bollinger County has nothing to lose and everything to gain from the power plant, and the financial arrangement being considered offers huge savings to Duke Energy. The company says of prime concern is acceptance of the plant by officials and residents of the county. For that reason, Bollinger contains should make it known that they want the benefits the plant would bring, and the county should continue to pursue it with all available means.