Plant permit approval to create jobs

Site preparation is expected to begin next year.

By D.A. Wilkinson

WELLSVILLE — Columbiana County’s future became brighter Thursday when a key permit was approved for a plant to turn coal into liquid fuel, a county economic development official said.

Tracy Drake, the chief executive officer of the Columbiana County Port Authority, said he was discussing another phase of the project when the word came in.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency approved an air-quality permit for Baard Energy of Vancouver, Wash.

It was the last of three major OEPA permits — that included wetlands and wastewater quality — needed to start the project.

The project is expected to pump $5.5 billion to $6 billion in construction costs into the southern portion of the county over five years.

That includes thousands of construction jobs.

The project would need about 225 full-time workers with at least an associate degree.

John Baardson, the president and CEO of Baard Energy, did not return a call. His company’s Web site did not show any statement about the approval.

David DiStefano of Locke Lord Strategies in Washington, D.C., said that Baardson was traveling to obtain money for the project. He said Baardson will release a statement today.

DiStefano said his company will apply for federal loan guarantees for the project.

The Air Force is seeking synthetic fuel for its airplanes in interior areas with transportation facilities, such as the Ohio River.

When the approval was announced, Drake said he was discussing using electrical power that will be generated from the plant that can be sold, and whether it would be better for the electrical plant to be owned by the port authority or Baard Energy. That power generation also will require OEPA approval.

Baardson is expected to speak at the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year Dinner on Dec. 4 and will likely talk about the project.

Wellsville and East Liverpool were hit hard years ago when the area’s pottery industry collapsed. Wellsville went from a city to a village.

DiStefano is from Belmont County, which is south of Columbiana, and said, “I know what a good job means.”

He added, “Ohio has been good to us and we look forward to continuing the program.”

Penny Traina, a Wellsville resident and Columbiana County commissioner, said, “We’re happy that the last of the OEPA permits were approved, and now it’s on to the next phase of the project.”

The proposed site off state Route 7 will take about 600 acres of about a 2,000-acre site that could attract more businesses.

The plant would be near the port authority’s rail, water and road facility on the Ohio River. A huge crane can move materials from one mode of transportation to another.

The proposed construction resulted in local officials’ working together to help make the plant a reality.

Mike Settles, an OEPA spokesman, praised Baard for changing parts of its proposals for the three permits at the agency’s request.

wilkinson@vindy.com