Friday, December 28, 2001
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Friday, December 28, 2001 |
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The Citizen's 2001 Year in Review issue Power plant top issue in 2001 By JOHN
THOMPSON
South Fulton residents turned out in droves this year to try and stop a huge power plant from being built in their backyard. By year's end, the company had decided to reevaluate its options, but residents are still keeping tabs on the company's plans. Early in the spring, one of the nation's largest companies proposed to build a massive power plant in South Fulton County. Williams Corp. announced its intention of building a 1,230-megawatt energy supply facility on Peters Road near Fairburn. The 288-acre site borders Fayette County, and company officials are pledging to use only 30 acres on the site for the facility. "The other 250 acres would be preserved as green space," said project director Dan Skizim. The project, called the Fulton Energy Center, was projected to be up and running in 2004. During the construction phase Skizim said between 400 and 700 jobs would be generated. If the plant is built, 40 to 50 workers will staff it. He said the plant would generate up to $1 million in tax revenue to Fulton County and have a minimal impact on county services, such as roads and schools. The facility will be powered by natural gas and the site was chosen because of its proximity to the Transco pipeline, which Williams owns. The company has been in business since 1908 and is based in Tulsa, Okla. The company recently spun off its telecom industry to a separate company. Williams has provided energy in Georgia for more than 50 years, including the pipeline, compressor and petroleum stations. The company employs 500 people in the state. But after community leaders and neighbors continually questioned the wisdom of building a plant, the giant energy company in November decided to reevaluate the "timing" on building the plant. "It looks like the voices of the people are being heard," said Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn, who has been at the forefront of opposition. But he added, "We'll have to keep watching." Williams Company spokesman Paula Hall-Collins said the company is looking at the present state of the national economy and deciding whether the 1,230-megawatt plant is what the company needs in the future. "We are not cancelling our efforts to develop a power facility in Fulton County, but want to take additional time to further review the market and capacity requirements at this location," said Rich Ficken, director of power development for Williams. Hall-Collins explained that the company's option on the property is good through February, but Williams has an option on the option that lasts six more months. "We have until the middle of 2002 to evaluate the site," she said. The company had just completed another round of studies for the site on Peters Road and was getting ready to conduct another series of meetings with the community. Hall-Collins said meetings could still take place if the community leaders want to meet with the company. The company had been making efforts to try and head off some of the residents' concerns, such as moving the footprint of the building so it would not disturb a family cemetery on the site. "Williams recognizes that efforts to develop a project of this kind require a public-private partnership and the company will continue to work with local elected officials and the community in order to create a development that will meet the community concerns and need for power," said Ficken.
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