Coal Plant Application Rejected

Monday, September 10th 2007, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Monday rejected a request from utilities that they be allowed to move ahead with plans to build a coal-fired power plant in northern Oklahoma. By a 2-1 vote, the regulatory commission turned down the request from Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., American Electric-Power Service Company of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority.

The plant was estimated to cost about $1.8 billion.

Commissioners Jim Roth and Jeff Cloud voted in favor of a motion to reject the request, while Commissioner Bob Anthony voted against the motion to reject.

The plant was planned for Red Rock in Noble County about 80 miles north of Oklahoma City.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham came out publicly against the proposal, saying he was concerned with the plant's potential impact on global warming.

Chesapeake Energy Corp., which produces natural gas, also called on regulators to deny the request, saying natural gas burns cleaner than coal and is in abundance in the region, while the coal would have to be brought in from Wyoming.

Utility officials said the massive power plant was needed to keep up with growing consumer demand for electricity. They said coal is far less expensive than natural gas, modern coal-fired plants burn much cleaner than older plants and it is best not to rely too heavily on any one power source, such as natural gas.

Watch the video: Coal Fired Power Plant Proposal Rejected

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