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OUC DISCONTINUES PLANS FOR CLEAN COAL PLANT
Potential federal, state regulations cited for
terminating gasification part of project
ORLANDO –
OUC–The Reliable One in conjunction with Southern Power Company,
a subsidiary of Southern Company, announced today they are terminating
construction of the coal gasification portion of the 285-megawatt
integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) facility at the Stanton
Energy Center. Construction will continue on the natural gas-fired
combined cycle generating unit.
The impact of possible federal and state regulations related to future
emissions restrictions in the state of Florida is the primary reason for
terminating construction. This decision had to be made now, before major
financial commitments were made on the gasification portion of the
project.
“At OUC, our first
priority is to provide our customers with reliable electric service at
the most affordable rates,” said OUC CEO and General Manager Ken Ksionek.
“In light of the changing federal and state regulatory landscape
regarding emissions, the IGCC project is no longer as economically
viable for OUC as it was when we first entered the project.”
OUC has some of
the lowest electric rates in the state and recently was recognized as
the most reliable municipally owned electric utility in the Southeast
for the fourth time. OUC has a long history of environmental
stewardship and will continue to seek opportunities to improve
efficiency, conserve energy and employ renewable fuels and cleaner
technologies while still providing reliable service at affordable
rates.
Established in 1923
by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The
Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC
provides electric and water services to more than 200,000 customers in
Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola
counties. |
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