Wellsville may be coal conversion site
By LUCILLE HUSTON/Salem News staff writer
salemnews.net
WELLSVILLE - A Columbus source has revealed that Coumbiana County is expected to be the site of a $4 billion coal conversion plant in the near future.
The land is just outside the village of Wellsville on the hillside overlooking the river above the Intermodal Industrial Park.
The area has rail, river and truck transportation to offer, which is vital to BAARD Co. of Vancouver, Wash., the firm planning to construct and operate the plant.
The projection is that the plant, which will change coal into diesel fuel and synthetic natural gas, will take three to four years to construct, and will employ 300 to 400 people.
The company is expected to produce the product for the defense industry.
Engineers and other skilled workers will be needed, meaning employee salaries should be at a good level.
During construction, roughly 1,200 to 2,000 workers will be employed. The amount of coal needed for production means some 750 to 1,000 additional workers will be needed by the coal industry, and it is projected from 500 to 1,000 ancillary jobs will result.
The plant also will use some 750,000 gallons of water per day.
Residents will have no need to worry about pollution from the coal. The process involved limits pollution to CO2, which is known commonly known as greenhouse gas.
Word of the choice of Wellsville as a site under strong consideration was given at a coal association meeting in Columbus. The possible location of the plant here has also been discussed by county officials. Official announcement of the site location was expected in September.
Tracy Drake of the Columbiana County Port Authority was unavailable for comment Thursday. However, Drake had earlier said the Port Authority was hopeful negotiations for a large project might bring such an industry to Columbiana County.
=================
Hoppel: Plant boon for area
By MARY ANN GREIER/Salem News staff writer
salemnews.net
LISBON - Columbiana County Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the plan for locating a coal conversion plant in the Wellsville area isn't a done deal, but it's a welcome deal.
"We're in total support of it," he said Friday.
According to plans announced Thursday, the $4 billion plant would create thousands of jobs for the area, with an estimated 300 to 400 workers at the plant, an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 workers needed for construction and another 750 to 1,000 workers needed in the coal industry to provide coal to the plant.
"If it happens, it will be a great boom for the county and the entire Ohio valley ... it will contribute positively," Hoppel said. "One of the best and quickest ways to improve the economy is to put people to work."
He said the commissioners were kept informed about what was happening by Columbiana County Port Authority Director Tracy Drake.
Hoppel cautioned that there's still a lot of work to be done to make the deal come together, but if anything's needed, they're ready to support the project.
According to Hoppel, the project could create a lot of good paying jobs for the county.
County government depends greatly on the economy, with nearly 50 percent of the general fund budget now dependent on the health of the 1 percent sales tax. Commissioners plan to place the .5 percent sales tax back on the ballot in November for a third attempt to get passage. If approved, the .5 percent sales tax could provide $4 million per year, but not until it's collected for a full year. The .5 percent sales tax, if approved on the fall ballot, won't take effect until the spring, with the first check expected in July 2007.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net |
