Energy Park could provide jobs for Isabella County
by Jason R Baird

Alma City Manager Phillip Moore believes an energy park in Alma would provide jobs along with other benefits.

He estimates it would take 1,000 workers and 3-7 years to build the energy park.

At Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, Moore said most of the projected
$2 million budget is in place.

Another meeting that will be open to the public is scheduled for February 20th at
7 p.m. The location is still to be announced.

“Most power plants expend about 60 percent of the energy they create into the environment,” Moore said.

The proposed energy park plans to utilize those lost BTU’s and vent as little of them as possible into the environment.

“We are in position to turn the great idea of building a state-of-the-art power plant in Alma into a reality," said Mike Sawruk, president of M&M Energy. “The facility will cut dangerous greenhouse gas emissions while providing Michigan with more of the clean energy we need to compete in today's economy.”

When processing coal, capturing nitrogen oxides such as mercury, sulfur and CO2, allows them to be made into synthetic gas. The synthetic gas can then be turned into steam, which is used to move turbines, creating energy.

After using the steam to make electricity, the steam would then be reused to make other industrial products.

The CO2 that is captured during coal gasification is “sequestered and pumped underground into old oil fields,” explains Moore. “You end up getting more oil out of old oil wells that were thought to be completely exhausted.”

“Using traditional technology, you only retrieve one-third of the oil that is underground,” Moore said. “Using CO2 to flush it out has the side benefit of keeping the CO2 underground.”

According to a statement from Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, "Together these measures are a part of a comprehensive plan to solve Michigan's energy needs while preserving our natural resources. In developing a new, high-tech economy, we must maintain the balance between development and environmental preservation."

Gov. Granholm has also publicly spoken positively about the project.

Moore feels there are factors that make Alma an attractive location. “Alma is a sweet spot because of pipeline infrastructure,” Moore said. “There are also main transmission lines important for moving energy.”

Understanding the importance of forward thinking, Moore said he hopes to encourage Central Michigan University professors to research other alternative energy sources.

“The proposal was very informative. It’s good to get involved quickly to prepare for development of that magnitude,” said Isabella County Administrator Tim Dolehanty.

At this point however, state permits need to be secured. Legislation relating to energy is currently going through Lansing.

“A lot depends on Lansing right now,” Moore said.