Trailblazer Energy Center
Project Journal
MARCH ENTRIES
Tenaska Testifies on Texas Incentives for Carbon Capture Projects
March 26, 2009
On March 25, Dr. Greg Kunkel, Tenaska vice president of environmental affairs, testified before the Texas House of Representatives Energy Resources Committee on House Bill (HB) 2811, relating to the implementation of and incentives for projects involving the capture, transportation, injection, sequestration, geologic storage, or abatement of carbon dioxide.
Dr. Kunkel testified that HB 2811 was an important “next step” in Texas’ work to encourage development of clean energy projects, like the Trailblazer Energy Center. It establishes a stable regulatory framework which makes the project more attractive to banks when obtaining financing.
Read a copy of Dr. Kunkel’s testimony on HB 2811, sponsored by Rep. Rick Hardcastle.
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BBC to feature Sweetwater, Trailblazer in News Series
March 15, 2009
Just before the Roundup, on March 6-10, an environmental reporting team from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) visited Nolan County and the city of Sweetwater. Reporter Justin Rowlatt was particularly interested in seeing first-hand how Nolan County has led the U.S. in clean energy development and why.
The news team was guided around the area by Sweetwater Mayor Greg Wortham. They toured wind farms and visited with Tenaska President of Business Development Dave Fiorelli, who walked them through the proposed site of the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center.
The BBC is developing a six-part news series on “Energy and Climate Change” later this spring. Nolan County will likely be prominently featured, with its thriving wind energy industry and its potential for housing the only commercial-scale coal-fueled power plant capable of capturing 85 to 90 percent of the carbon dioxide it produces.
The reporting team was impressed with the fact that Tenaska, a private company, is already investing its own dollars in what will be a $3.5 billion project--while the pundits continue to say this technology is at least 20 years in the future.
The group immediately understood the significance of the name Trailblazer when they heard it. As they said, Tenaska is an environmentally-responsible pioneer in the energy industry.
Mr. Rowlatt has already written about his trip to Sweetwater in his blog.
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TCEQ Holds Public Meeting in Sweetwater
March 3, 2009
In Sweetwater, March 3, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) staff held a public meeting to answer questions and accept formal comment on the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center draft air quality permit.
Tenaska requested that TCEQ hold the public meeting to give Nolan County citizens who had questions about air emissions the chance to learn more about the air permit process and how the agency examines air quality applications.
Approximately 200 people attended the hearing. It began with an informal question and answer session and ended with a formal comment session. About 45 individuals gave formal comments, with an even split between those supporting the permit and those with concerns.
Among those giving comments in support of Tenaska’s draft air quality permit were: Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough; Sweetwater Mayor Greg Wortham; Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce President Mike Sheehan; President of the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED) John Jay; Sweetwater Industrial Foundation President Trey Aiken; Sweetwater Independent School District Superintendant Terry Pittman; project neighbor Tom Henderson; and many others.
The TCEQ staff will prepare responses to comments, and consider any related changes to the draft permit, before forwarding a final air quality permit to the TCEQ Commissioners for approval.
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More information about the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center and illustrations for press use may be obtained at www.tenaskatrailblazer.com.
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