HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – Construction on the Calpine Energy project in this Lawrence County township may be delayed due to problems facing the power industry.

Friday, February 01, 2002

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – Construction on the Calpine Energy project in this Lawrence County township may be delayed due to problems facing the power industry.

Calpine Corp., one of the nation’s largest independent power producers, announced that it will delay construction of about $8 billion worth of projects.

According to an article that ran on the "Engineering News Record" website, Calpine CEO Peter Cartwright announced that the San Jose, Calif. -based company will complete 27 gas-fired projects now under construction. It will continue to develop, but place on "hot standby," another 34 projects that will cut Calpine’s construction investment this year by about $2 billion.

Project manager George Bacon said that the Lawrence County project is still being developed and the company is still seeking the necessary permits and licenses. On Monday, Bacon said, the company received site certification, a step Bacon called a "milestone" in developing the project.

Bacon said the Lawrence County project could be extended in order to meet the energy demands. He added that with the ongoing recession and the mild winter, the demands for energy have decreased. Bacon said the company wants to act in a prudent manner and open the Lawrence County production facility when the the site could fill the demands for energy in Ohio.

County Commission president Jason Stephens said "obviously we’re still wanting to work with the company." He added, "We’re not down and out on this project."

Stephens said he hopes the economy will pick up from the national viewpoint and the construction plans will continue.