Biomass project brings more jobs to East Texas
Issue date: 10/12/09 Section: News
Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Center) has announced that the 100-megawatt Nacogdoches Power LLC biomass project, located in Sacul, is under new ownership and will begin construction this fall.
In 2007, Christian, as vice chair of the House Regulated Industries Committee, carried the legislation that enabled this project and prompted one of the biggest economic investments ever in deep East Texas.
American Renewables LLC has sold the biomass project to Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. Under new ownership, groundbreaking will happen within the next few months, and the plant will be ready for commercial operation in the summer of 2012.
"This plant will allow scrap timber, including forest residue from surrounding areas, to be used to produce renewable energy, enhancing the timber and logging industry throughout all of the counties in the district," Christian said. "We were met with many obstacles in our efforts to pass the legislation that made this project possible, but with the coordinated efforts of Judy McDonald, president of Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation, Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English, Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn, and Anthony Callendrello, president of Nacogdoches Power, we are now able to see the benefits of our work in the form of unprecedented job creation and economic development in east Texas."
The project, when completed, will be one of the largest biomass fueled electric generating facilities in the country. The $300 million plant is estimated to contribute $30 million per year to the local economy and create up to 400 jobs.
Christian continued, "After the passage of the enabling legislation and through the continued efforts of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Committee, we are now able to celebrate the upcoming groundbreaking of this monumental project. The importance of the jobs and investment this will bring to our rural East Texas district can not be overstated. Not only will this create new 'value added' jobs to our area, it will help stabilize timber prices and revive the ailing timber industry. I extend my sincere appreciation to all who had a hand in helping to bring this major investment our area and look forward to the final completion of this important project."
In 2007, Christian, as vice chair of the House Regulated Industries Committee, carried the legislation that enabled this project and prompted one of the biggest economic investments ever in deep East Texas.
American Renewables LLC has sold the biomass project to Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. Under new ownership, groundbreaking will happen within the next few months, and the plant will be ready for commercial operation in the summer of 2012.
"This plant will allow scrap timber, including forest residue from surrounding areas, to be used to produce renewable energy, enhancing the timber and logging industry throughout all of the counties in the district," Christian said. "We were met with many obstacles in our efforts to pass the legislation that made this project possible, but with the coordinated efforts of Judy McDonald, president of Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation, Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English, Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn, and Anthony Callendrello, president of Nacogdoches Power, we are now able to see the benefits of our work in the form of unprecedented job creation and economic development in east Texas."
The project, when completed, will be one of the largest biomass fueled electric generating facilities in the country. The $300 million plant is estimated to contribute $30 million per year to the local economy and create up to 400 jobs.
Christian continued, "After the passage of the enabling legislation and through the continued efforts of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Committee, we are now able to celebrate the upcoming groundbreaking of this monumental project. The importance of the jobs and investment this will bring to our rural East Texas district can not be overstated. Not only will this create new 'value added' jobs to our area, it will help stabilize timber prices and revive the ailing timber industry. I extend my sincere appreciation to all who had a hand in helping to bring this major investment our area and look forward to the final completion of this important project."
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