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TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has signed a site certification order authorizing construction of a new clean coal generating unit at Seminole Generating Station in Putnam County.
The station is owned and operated by Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc., which provides wholesale power to 10 member owned electric distribution cooperatives in Florida.
The new 750 megawatt, supercritical Unit 3 will join two 650 megawatt generating units at the northeast Florida station. Units 1 and 2 are in the process of significant environmental upgrades that will enable Unit 3 to be put into service with no net increase in the station's regulated emissions. Unit 3's site certification initially was denied by the state in 2007. Seminole appealed that denial. On June 13, 2008, the 5th District Court of Appeal reversed DEP, and instructed the agency to issue a certification order approving Unit 3.
A final construction schedule for Unit 3 is not yet determined.
Timothy S. Woodbury, Seminole's chief executive, commented, "After many delays and appeals we are pleased to have this certification in hand, which is a significant milestone for our clean coal project."
"Clean coal generation will help us maintain a diversified energy portfolio that in turn will help keep energy affordable and available for our members."
About Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Seminole is a non-profit generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Tampa. Its 10 member distribution cooperatives together serve more than 900,000 meters -- an estimated 1.7 million individuals and businesses across 46 counties. The Cooperative's energy mix currently includes one of the largest portfolios of renewable energy in Florida, which will meet about 4% of its members' demand in 2008. For more information, visit Seminole's web site at www.seminole-electric.com.
SOURCE Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc.
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