By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
It may be as late as February before an order from the
Utah Public Service Commission is made as to whether or not
to allow construction of a power plant near Mona.
PacifiCorp had hoped to start construction in January on
a $350 million power plan in Juab County.
The company originally helped for a Dec. 31 approval date
so construction on the first phase of the 525-megawatt
natural-gas fired plant, known as the Currant Creek power
project, could begin by Jan. 15.
Robert A. Van Engelenhoven, P.C., Manger of Resource
Development with PacifiCorp said the power company hoped to
receive the go-ahead to begin construction so the plant
could be on-line by the summer of 2005.
"We plan to build the plant in phases," he said. "We want
the first phase built by June 2005 and plan to continue
construction to complete the project until March 2006."
If the plant did not come into being soon enough, rolling
blackouts along the Wasatch Front could occur, he said.
PacifiCorp had been working toward hearings to be held
toward the end of Jan. 2004. Now those hearing dates have
been postponed until mid-February.
Nevertheless, Bill Landels, PacifiCorp executive vice
president, said after meeting on Tuesday with the commission
that the approved hearing dates of Feb. 18-19 were
workable.
"I think we've got to come out of this process with all
parties feeling due process was done and seen to be done,"
said Landels.
Some of those allowed to bid on the power project are
dissatisfied with PacifiCorp's bid process and have
complained.
The company rejected 28 proposals submitted by 13 outside
companies and, eventually, awarded itself the contract to
build the plant.
Van Engelenhoven said the company's bid was $320 million
less expensive than the next-best cost alternative when
evaluated over a 20- to 30-year life span of the proposed
plant.
PacifiCorp's hired consultant, Navigant Consulting Inc.,
had concluded that the company's open bid process was
conducted in a fair manner, said John Eriksson, an attorney
for PacifiCorp.
"Navigant spent hundreds of hours evaluating the
company's process, working with bidders in evaluating bids,
determining just what the bid terms were," Eriksson said.
"So having gone through all that work, now we find ourselves
facing claims or parties taking issue, it seems, with the
process itself."
The first phase of construction would be developmental,
with the site being cleared and readied. Temporary
facilities, such as an office for construction management
would be placed as would other small buildings.
Work would be done on the well and the laying of water
lines from the well site east of Mona near I-15 to the plant
site west of Mona.
A work force peak of 300 workers was expected during the
summer of 2004. Then the work force would taper and would
peak again in 2005.
"We have planned a very aggressive construction goal,"
said Van Engelenhoven.
How the postponement of the desired hearing dates will
affect the hoped for construction completion goal remains to
be seen.
In addition, some of the complaints levied against
PacifiCorp by disgruntled bidders who are questioning the
company's award of the bid to themselves may slow the
construction more, depending on the outcome.
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