Modular design for fast construction of a potential pilot coal plant in southwest Wyoming. COURTESY PHOTO

Southern Lincoln County is being considered as a potential location to build a demonstration coal power plant, according to Representative Scott Heiner (R-Green River). The project is one of the goals of an Energy Council formed to provide a forum for state legislators interested in energy policy and includes 14 American states and two Canadian provinces.

Representative Heiner said he recently participated in Energy Council meetings in Saskatchewan, Canada where mutual energy issues with legislators from other energy producing states were discussed, including the initial stages of building the power plant. The plant will be based on the new Staged Pressurized Oxy-Combusion (SPOC) design currently being pilot-tested at Washington University in St. Louis.

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“It is new technology to burn coal in a pure oxygen environment rather than air and at a pressure of about 255 pounds,” explained Rep. Heiner during a live interview on SVI Radio. “So the actual plant is much more compact and less expensive to build and operate.”

According to Heiner, the small pilot plant, which only generates enough electricity to run one house, has been running for a number of years and scientists are now ready to move to the demonstration phase. The demonstration plant, which would be big enough or power roughly the Kemmerer/Diamondville area for an example, would be built to prove the concept works before going to actual commercialization. Afterwards, Rep. Heiner said a full size plant, roughly the size of the current Naughton Power Plant currently in Kemmerer, could then be built.

“I’m very excited about this for the potential to unleash coal and move the needle so that we can revitalize our mineral industry here in Wyoming,” Heiner stated.

While a location for the demonstration plant has not been determined, Rep. Heiner said somewhere in southwest Wyoming is the preferred location. The project is also being conducted in partnership with the State of Utah, who will pay for half the cost to move the project forward while Wyoming would pay for the other half.

“This is moving quickly at this point,” continued Heiner. “Utah is committing $1.25 million and Wyoming $1.25 million to do the engineering design. That will probably take six months. So by the end of the year we should have the engineering design and then we will seek funding for the full demonstration plant, which will cost $80 million. Hopefully we’ll be constructing next year.”

Heiner said the modular design allows for fast construction of about 1 ½ years, with the full sized plant within three to five years. Heiner said the design process will try to find the best location with resources available, noting the coal mines in Kemmerer and Rock Springs.