Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Officials working to sign first tenant for mega-park

By Denice Thibodeau

Danville Register & Bee
Published: July 20, 2009

Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders are working to sign the first tenant to the region’s first industrial mega-park, if all the details can be worked out with American Municipal Power.

According to a presentation given to the Regional Industrial Facility Authority, AMP may build a natural gas-fired, 270- to 550-megawatt electricity generating plant in the southwest corner of site. The plant would provide intermediate and peaking power needs to its members, including Danville, and would employ up to 35 people.

Danville Deputy City Manager Joe King said the deal isn’t final yet, but commented that it is “close.”

The plant would cost between $321 and $528 million, depending on whether AMP decides on the 270 or 550 megawatt facility, and would require the company to construct a $25 million high-capacity electric transmission line and interconnection facility at the Axton American Electric Power substation located 10 miles northwest of the proposed site in the mega-park.

RIFA also proposes to name the mega-park on Berry Hill Road the “Southern Virginia Energy Park.”

But first, AMP wants assurances from both the city and the county that the plant’s water, wastewater and natural gas needs will be met.

Danville City Manager Lyle Lacy and Pittsylvania County Administrator Dan Sleeper have jointly sent a letter to AMP supporting the project, but resolutions of support have also been asked for from Danville City Council and the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

City Council will vote on whether to support the proposal tonight at its regular meeting, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building on Patton Street.

http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/officials_wor
king_to_sign_first_tenant_for_mega-park/12587/

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