Board delays power plant site OK

SALEM -- It will be about another month before the Ohio Power Siting Board considers whether to approve a site for a $600 million power plant proposed for Columbiana County.
The siting board had intended to consider the site approval at the panel's Monday meeting, explained Shana Gerber, a siting board spokeswoman.
But action on the matter was delayed because some board members wanted to further review changes in the approval order's wording that were made Friday, Gerber said.
Site approval is expected to be mulled at the panel's next meeting, which has yet to be set. It's likely to occur in mid-May or later in that month, Gerber said.
The gas-fired power plant is being proposed by Cogentrix Energy Inc. of Charlotte, N.C.
Company representatives attended Monday's meeting and didn't object to the delay, Gerber said.
"They didn't feel this would delay their construction plans," she added.
Cogentrix's first site choice is off St. Jacob-Logtown Road in Center Township. The alternate site is along state Route 45 in Salem Township.
The company wants to start the two-year construction period this summer.
Once finished, the gas-fired plant would employ about 30 people full-time.