Coal Fired Power Plant Records Milestone

The John W. Turk Coal Fired Power Plant in Southwest Arkansas has recorded a milestone event.The plant being built by Swepco is nearing completion and just saw the arrival of the first 135 unit Union Pacific coal train from Wyoming. The plant has reached the 92% completion mark and expects to use about 2.6 million tons of coal annually.

The plant is expected to maintain around 110 permanent jobs with an estimated annual payroll of around $9 million dollars, and contributing an additional $4 million dollars in annual school and county property tax revenue.

Southwestern Electric Power Company says the 600 megawatt plant will use ultra-super critical advanced coal combustion technology, the first type to go into operation in the United States. When completed it will be among the cleanest, most efficient coal plants in the country.