Panel halts power plant plans

FREDERICK, MARYLAND - The Maryland state Public Service Commission has suspended its consideration of two power plant proposals, one of them by a Georgia-based company, while a task force ponders the proliferation of such projects in the area. <br> <br> The delay affects Duke Energy Corporation&#39;s application to build a 640-megawatt, natural gas-fired plant in southern Frederick County, near Point of Rocks, and Atlanta-based Mirant Corporation&#39;s plan to expand an existing plant in Dickerson, about eight miles downstream from Point of Rocks along the Potomac River. <br> <br> Eight state agencies sought the delay after opponents of the Duke Energy project, including the Frederick County government, complained that smokestacks could soon dominate the rural landscape despite local zoning laws and state farmland preservation efforts. <br> <br> PSC hearing examiners suspended the Duke proceedings Tuesday and the Mirant case yesterday, pending receipt of the task force report, tentatively set for December first. <br> <br> Duke, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, had not opposed a delay. Mirant, based in Atlanta, had objected. <br> <br> Mirant spokesman David Payne said the company was not happy with the decision.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/202048