Washington, DC) - Mesquite Mayor Susan Holecheck, Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Hamilton "Tony" E. James, the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Blackstone Group, announced Monday the plan to build a natural gas plant at the Toquop site near Mesquite, Nevada. Sithe Global Power, the Blackstone Group’s portfolio company, had planned to build a coal-fired power plant at the Toquop site, but has returned to their original plan to build a natural gas plant combined with solar energy. When construction of the plant begins it will take three years, cost $1.45 billion and create as many as 1,000 jobs. Ground breaking is expected before the end of the year on the solar project, according to Reid.
“The City of Mesquite extends its gratitude to Senator Reid. He has been an advocate against coal, not only on our behalf, but has been tenacious in his encouragement for America to break its longstanding dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to build a clean energy economy,” Mesquite Mayor Susan Holecheck said. “I believe, as does Senator Reid, that it's incumbent on us all to encourage and promote effective and efficent use of resources which are not only healthier for our people and environment, but in the long run will employ more people at higher wages.”
The Toquop Power plant will generate 700 megawatts of power with natural gas and 100 megawatts of energy from solar arrays reducing the need of water for the Toquop Energy Project by 60-percent, according James. The Blackstone Group owns 80-percent of Sithe Global Energy company.
James explained that the project would be completed in two phases: " The solar project will be completed by early 2012, with the gas powered plant to come. We're going to begin construction on the gas part of the plant in late 2011 since it is a much larger project, and it should be in commercial operation by 2015."
The Beaver Dam Old Highway 91, the bridge over the wash, and Beaver Dam Creek are currently being prepared to accommodate the type of vehicle that will be necessary to carry equipment and materials to the site which is located just 11 miles from Beaver Dam. This will certainly impact both Mesquite and St. George as both of these areas are within 35 miles of the project.
Source: Press Conference audio provided by Bryan Dangerfield, City of Mesquite Public Information Director and press release from Senator Harry Reid's Washington office.
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About the Author:
Ellen Plante, a Real Estate Professional, lives in the St. George Utah area and pays attention to considerations like originality, design, and personal desires of her elite clientele. Email: ellenplante@aboutstgeorgeutah.com Phone: 800-557-9096.
