Written by Mallorie Cloum
Take a look into the Cash Creek Coal Gasification Plant proposed for Henderson County, Kentucky. As new information arises, the FOCUS team will update this page.
A process that involves the conversion of solid coal into a synthetic natural gas, coal gasification is a hailed as one of the most versatile and cleanest ways to convert coal into electricity and other valuable energy products. Yet with the Cash Creek Project in the advanced stages of development, many tri-state members are asking if it’s only a temporary fix with long-term problems attached.
A project proposed by the Erora Group, LLC, the Cash Creek Project will bring a Coal Gasification and Power Plant in Henderson, Kentucky. It is reportedly designed to gasify some 2.8 million tons of Kentucky coal per year, and will produce natural gas for delivery to an interstate pipeline and to produce electricity.
The Benefits
Environmentally, if there’s any one thing being highly praised about the process of coal gasification, it’s that it has lower levels of air emission, solid waste, and waste water. More specifically, it is said to have high efficiencies that require less coal to produce the same amount of energy, which results in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Economically, the plant will bring jobs into the tri-state area that are much needed, during both the construction stage and in the long-term picture. Not only this, but if the plant follows the example of a North Dakota plant recently reported on by the Courier and Press, it could bring money in by selling byproducts of the gasification process.
The Questions
Some tri-state members are asking questions, and they wonder if our money may not be better spent by investing in other power sources that don’t involve the use of coal.
A major problem many are questioning is the effect the plant may have on the Green River. Will year-round release of warmer-than-normal water from the plants cooling towers harmfully effect the aquatic life?
Recently the Courier and Press reported on a public hearing where environmental activist spoke out against the plans to issue a revised wastewater discharge permit. A permit was previously issued in February, but after some concerns were raise by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), modifications were made.
The Resources