From left to right, PMRIDA Chairman Mike Bowling and Sky Energy Representatives Frank Rotondi and Randall Bird spoke with county officials about the development of a proposed power plant in Bell County on Thursday afternoon.
The meeting, which was conducted in the conference room of the Pineville Community Hospital, allowed Sky Energy representatives the opportunity to give county officials a more detailed report on energy center planning and design, and to share the results of the project’s feasibility tests.
Sky Energy, an independent power development company based out of Houston, Texas, is currently conducting surveys of the property and representatives say the location looks favorable.
Frank Rotondi, founder of Sky Energy, was first to speak about the project’s advancement and potential at Thursday’s meeting.
“You have a wonderful site... We have received favorable responses in all aspects of construction,” said Rotondi.
The power plant will set upon the Pine Mountain Regional Industrial Park — commonly referred to as Asher Industrial Park — located on Highway 119 when made official, according to county leaders.
Officials claim that the clean energy center, if developed, would operate by means of solar, wind and natural gas along with coal.
Rotondi, who also serves as president and CEO of Sky Energy, claimed that a lot of work has been done since the last time both parties met, and stated that things are getting accomplished.
He stated a majority of the feasibility test(s) results were completed — adding that the possibility “for putting an electricity and multi-energy based project upon the site” was steadily becoming a reality.
“We think that we are 95 percent complete with the feasibility assessment part of this process... There is still a little bit of work to do, but we are in negotiation of the funding for the development of a project,” Rotondi maintained.
“This is a complex project, but a very feasible one,” he added.
The focuses now, said Rotondi, are to determine the path forward to actual development, raise development financing (if feasible), and to exercise option for full-scale development.
“Determination of the path forward to the actual development is about 80 to 85 percent complete today. The best news of all is that we have been working with very creditable development investors all along on this project... and there is a conceptual agreement among investors for the development capital of this project,” Rotondi explained.
“The bottom line is that we are very excited about where we are,” said Rotondi.
Additionally, Rotondi said that public responsibility and environmental awareness — in relation with the proposed energy center plan — are both essential for the furtherance of the project.
“We intend for this project to have multiple facets and some of those facets, to be candid, are designed specifically to enhance the environmental profile of this project. It is simply vital to do that. To be in our industry today, it is simply a requirement of business to have a tremendous environmental ethic, and to design everything that we do to minimize environmental impacts in every conceivable way.”
“We are on a path to do that with this project and we think that there are many things about it that will be attractive in terms of the public’s perception,” declared Rotondi.
“Dirty business is bad business. Nobody is interested in that,” he contended.
Officials are currently focused on getting more funding for the project, and hope to have all the money to start the developing phase by July of this year.
“We have positive early signs that construction financing will be available when the time comes, and we truly believe that this project is feasible,” said Randall A. Bird, co-founder and chief operating officer with Sky Energy.
“When we start, we will be prepared to finish,” Rotondi concluded.
During the meeting, Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock expressed great excitement for the project and said that he is very optimistic for the future.
“We have a legitimate deal here with legitimate people... It’s going to happen,” said Brock.
Developers estimate the project will cost nearly $2 billion, and believe that construction could begin in a couple of years. The construction phase of the project could employ nearly fifteen-hundred people, according to county officials.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
The federal Politicians love to eat Steak and drive caddys like the rest . The politicians can give the people around here a "Chew of RedMan". Or A can of "Mountain Dew". and a "Friend Of coal" Bumper Sticker and they got Bubb's Vote for life.. Sad But true..
You can buy any kind of Permit you want in Frankfort all it takes is. Money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
They Preach Scare tactices "NO COAL NO LIGHTS". NO COAL. NO JOBS,When we get most of our Electric power from TVAs Hydro Powen plants (Water power)
the Orperators/Landowner Lease The Strip jobs sites out to the County as ATV Trails for 25 Years. In 25 years all the Mountain Robbin Coal & Strip mining will be gone.. SO will the ATV land Leases.
NOW The Politicains Want to build a Coal Fired Power Plant Right in the Middle of out Mountains So they can sale the Electric Power to power companys like DUKE power or some other Company, Then it can be sold to places like Duke Energy to be used in New York or Cincinnati and NKY.
We here at home will be using TVA's Hydro Power electrc and Still Paying the U.S. 3rd highest Prices.
JUST how Dumb is us hillbillys ? Are we as Dumb as the Politicans Thinks. I guess So.... You can't fix Stupid..
Funny how the friends of coal now want to wave the flag for wind and solar. For a group that has "Pine Mountain" in its name, does that not seem a more logical location for either of those sources?
Coal Fired power plants is the U.S.A Largest source of MERCURY POLLUTION. 50% of the mercury can travel UP TO 600 MILES from the Power plant.. Acid Rail will Kill of Blanton Forest Trees. I can Believe the STATE OF KY Will Let this Mouster be build This close to Blanton Forest. Fact I don't think the People of Bell/ Harlan Countys will..
U GO ALBIE! RICK!
NICE TO SEE GREAT PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER FOR ONCE!
GOOD LEADERSHIP BRINGING IT HOME!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE AND CONTINUED DEDICATION TO BELL COUNTY!
Your mention of wind and solar will surely get you labeled as "tree huggers". Plus, you might want to talk with the folks at Eastern Kentucky Power. They seem to think wind and solar aren't feasible at their Winchester location. Can you explain to us how the 119 site is so much better for that?
Be serious, gentlemen. This is really a coal project. We get more wind power from our politicians than what you'll ever produce at that site. And it might always be sunny in Philadelphia but solar won't keep the lights on at Albey's house from 119.
Of the people on the Pine Mountain board, how many currently have wind and solar investments and experience? OK, now a show of hands for coal. Uh huh.