By Joyce Kryszak
Tonawanda, NY – Governor George Pataki delivered an early Christmas present to Tonawanda Wednesday. He announced that the Huntley Generating Station is getting coal in its stocking - clean coal that is. The plant was chosen over five others for the state's new clean coal facility.
But there are concerns that the present could be snatched away.
The room at the Huntley Generating Station was filled with jolly company and elected leaders Wednesday.
The Tonawanda plant has been producing coal energy for 90-years. But, according to company officials, the last time this plant was decked out with new technology was in 1955.
The new, $1.5 Billion clean coal plant would convert coal to synthetic gas, removing pollutants before combustion. Pataki said that is a gift for an oil-dependent nation, and a gift everyone will want.
But final approval of the deal hinges on reducing the high cost of the electricity produced by the advanced technology. That could be done either with more private or state dollars. Or, as officials hope, with federal energy credits.
An 18-month deadline is set to complete the funding. Timothy Carey is president of the state Power Authority. He spoke confidently that the deal would go through.
If approved, the plant would create roughly 1,000 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent jobs. NRG president David Crane said they have a lot at stake also, and "will work every angle" to make it a reality.
He said, if need be, the company might be able to close the gap in funding alone. But Crane said it would be more feasible with federal help.
Other elected officials, including Unites States Congresswoman Louis Slaughter, pledged to fight hard at the federal level to finalize the deal.
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