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"Kentucky Power looked long and hard at the best way to meet its environmental obligations at Big Sandy Plant and after much study and analysis, the scrubber system emerged as our least-cost option," said Greg Pauley, president and COO, Kentucky Power. "By investing in the plant and the new scrubber system, we will be able to comply with environmental regulations as well as retain local jobs. It will also enable Big Sandy Plant to continue burning millions of tons of coal each year and ensure that Kentucky Power remains a large part of the area's economy for years to come." If approved by the Commission, the DFGD project should be completed sometime in 2016. The company estimates that as many as 700 jobs will be created during the construction period, most of which will be directly used in building the DFGD system. Those jobs will have a direct, positive impact on the local and regional economies over the course of the next few years.
Senate Introduces the Fair Compliance Act: A More Realistic EPA Regulation Timeline The Fair Compliance Act of 2011 (Senate Bill1833) was introduced recently with bipartisan support by Sens. Joe Manchin (WV-D) and Dan Coats (IN-R), Additional cosponsors include Sens. Bob Corker (R-TN-R) and Ben Nelson (NE -D). This bill and the TRAIN Act passed earlier this year by the House would help protect electricity consumers from the risk of power shortages and extreme price increases from overly aggressive EPA regulations. The "Fair Compliance Act" would give power companies a more realistic timeframe for compliance with the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and the Utility MACT Rule, which have been identi- fied as key elements of the Train Wreck of burdensome and unnec- essary regulations.
In February 2011, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) published EPA's Regulatory Train Wreck: Strategies for State Legislators, which helped engage policymakers on the EPA's most hos- tile regulatory assaults on energy affordability and reliability. Recently, ALEC published its first in a series of policy guides on the coming EPA regulations. The Cross State Air Pollution Rule, one of the more oner- ous of the EPA rules, will be addressed by the "Fair Compliance Act." "The bill does not change the stringency or reduction levels of any EPA regulations," said Todd Wynn, ALEC's Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Director. "But it would help to minimize the damage of the train wreck that will happen if the regulations pile onto American consumers and manufacturing companies too fast." Affordable and reliable electricity is the lifeblood of the American economy, and the "Fair Compliance Act" helps lessen the burden of two of the most damaging EPA rules. The bill addresses deep concerns voiced by utility regulators and grid operators about the impact of planned power plant closures if the EPA timelines are not changed.
The bill also synchronizes the deadlines for the two rules and would require utilities to submit implementation plans on how their emission reductions will be made. This would allow the U.S. Department of Energy and reliability organizations to coordinate plant retirements and technology retrofits so power shortages will not occur.
ALEC's EPA's Regulatory Trainwreck: Strategies for State Legislators is available at www.regulatorytrainwreck.com. ALEC's Cross State Air Pollution Rule Policy Guide is available at www.alec.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Cross_State_Pollution.
December 2011
Alpha Natural Resources officially opened its new corporate headquarters facility in Bristol, Va. The five-story 130,000-square-foot building is located on 30 acres in the Sugar Hollow Business Complex.
Alpha Celebrates Grand Opening of New Corporate Headquarters
A group of 14 coal miners cut a "ribbon" of miners' belts to signify the opening of the building.
Alpha Natural Resources officially opened its new corporate headquarters facility in Bristol, Va. The five-story, 130,000-square-foot building is located on 30 acres in the Sugar Hollow Business Complex. Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and other state and local dignitaries joined Alpha employees for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A group of 14 coal miners cut a "ribbon" of miners' belts to signify the opening of the building. "We are thrilled to be moving into a wonderful, state-of-the-art space in the same area of Southwest Virginia where we began the business in 2002," said Kevin Crutchfield, CEO, Alpha Natural Resources. "In less than 10 years, Alpha has grown from a concept on a piece of paper to the world's fifth largest coal supplier. From a handful of original employees in the area, we now have approximately 325 who are moving into this state-of-the-art facility. We are grateful for the outstanding partner- ships we have with city, county and state leaders, whose support and commitment made today's event happen. This is a proud moment for Alpha." The energy efficient building has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for commercial interiors. Alpha worked closely with local architect Thompson & Litton, and general contractor, BurWil Construction Co., to create a building with numer- ous energy efficiency features that exemplify its commitment to sustainable energy practices.
At the event Alpha announced a donation that will help complete Sugar Hollow Park's Resting Tree Trail. The trail will link the historic Resting Tree Cemetery to the park's existing sidewalk path and Alpha's new headquarters. The trail will also be enhanced with benches and new picnic tables.
In August, Alpha agreed to partner with the Holston River Soil and Water Conservation District to fund the completion of Phase II of the Beaver Creek Stream Restoration Project in Sugar Hollow Park. The goal for Phase II is to restore 1,000 linear feet of Beaver Creek, which will result in improved water quality through natural stream channel design methods and the restoration of vegetative buffers. The Phase II location also will serve as a demonstration/educational site.
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