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Final hearing set for proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Lordstown
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Regulators have scheduled a final hearing later this month for a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Lordstown.
The Clean Energy Future project is the third item on the agenda of the Power Siting Board, which will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday in downtown Columbus.
The meeting follows a hearing before an administrative judge last month, which was the final step before Power Siting Board consideration on the proposed $800 million, 800-megawatt facility, to be constructed on 17 acres along State Route 45 in Lords-town Industrial Park.
“If approved, the project has the green light to construct,” with no other approvals needed from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, according to Matt Shilling, PUCO spokesman.
The Power Siting Board reviews plans for new power plants, via a months-long process that includes public hearings and consideration by legal counsel.
Staff already have determined the project complies with state law and other requirements and would have minimum adverse environmental impacts on the area. Testimony mostly has been in support of the facility.
Construction on the facility is expected to begin in coming months, with a targeted operation date of May 2018, according to documents.