First step taken to get coal power plant in county
Staff reporter
Could a coal power plant be in Marion's future?
No one knows for sure but due to efforts by local and county officials, at least the county's hat is in the ring.
David Mayfield, Marion City Administrator, contacted Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub Aug. 12, and informed him that Western Resources/Westar Energy, Inc. were seeking applications for a coal-fired electrical generating plant to be located in Kansas.
Holub said he made contact with Westar Energy and was told the July 22 deadline had passed but was willing to let Marion County apply.
"The information was mailed Wednesday (Aug. 17) to Westar," Holub said. Local individuals assisted him in completing the application.
Several county sites were determined to meet most of the guidelines and submitted with the application.
"The biggest problem is water," Holub said.
The two-page, 15-question application asks such questions as: What is/are the sources of significant water available at the site proposed? Are there active rail lines near the proposed site? Is there access to highways? How many acres of land are available? Who owns the land? Is the land currently for sale? Where is the nearest high voltage (230,000 volts) transmission line in relation to the proposed site and what is the voltage? Are there any gas pipelines near the site?
The questionnaire also asked about zoning.
"We included information about the wind farm district," Holub said.
Marion County zoning regulations allows wind farm operations in a corridor in the southeast part of the county with similar requirements.
Jim Ludwig, vice president of public affairs for Westar Energy, Inc., explained that land requirements were dependent on the type of operation.
"If we had to build a cooling lake, for example, the land requirements for a coal plant would significantly increase," said Ludwig.
The question of a feasible distance to a 230,000-volt transmission line also was difficult for the executive to answer.
"The distance to a transmission line would be considered in the overall cost," Ludwig said. "It can cost up to $1 million per mile to build transmission."
According to a site selection map provided by Westar Energy, Inc., a 115,000-volt transmission line runs through Marion County. The nearest 230,000-volt transmission line is in McPherson County.
These costs will be compared to other costs to make the best economic decision, Ludwig said.
What is it? How does it work?
Typically, coal is shipped to the site by rail cars.
Before the coal is burned, it is pulverized to a powder. It is mixed with hot air and blown into the firebox of the boiler.
By burning in suspension, the coal-air mixture provides the most complete combustion and maximum heat possible.
Highly purified water is pumped through precipitator pipes located inside the boiler and is turned into steam.
With temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees F. and 3,500 pounds of pressure per square inch, the steam is piped to the turbine.
The steam causes enormous pressure and pushes against a series of turbine blades which turns the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft is connected to the shaft of the generator, where magnets spin within wire coils to produce electricity.
The steam then is drawn into a condenser and recycled through the plant to be used over and over again. This essential cooling process requires large quantities of water which is the reason most steam-electric stations are located on lakes or rivers.
Millions of gallons of cool lake water are pumped through a network of tubes that runs through the condense. The water in the tubes cools the steam and converts it to water. After the steam is condensed, it is pumped to the boiler to again repeat the cycle.
Approximately 200 employees would operate the plant which would have a significant positive impact on the county's economy.
Burns and McDonnell, a consulting engineering firm, will assist Westar Energy, Inc., in identifying and evaluating potential sites for power plants in the service area.
When applications are reviewed, those sites that meet the technical specifications for a power plant will be invited to a meeting to make a formal proposal.
The proposed sites will be narrowed down to finalists.
The engineering consultants plan to complete site evaluations late this year. Final decisions will be based on costs, technical requirements of siting power plants, and local acceptance.
Westar Energy, Inc. also will consider purchasing power from other generators instead of building its own.
There aren't any guarantees, Holub emphasized, but at least the county has a shot at it.
"We are pleased that many citizens in Marion County would like for Westar to be their business neighbor," said Ludwig.
It was not announced when final decisions will be made.
