Ground broken for power plant at Geneva site

VINEYARD — Springing up from the ashes of a former industrial giant, a new power plant in Vineyard is considered the first step toward revitalizing the former Geneva Steel area.

"We welcome the power plant with open arms," said Vineyard Mayor Randy Farnworth. "It is very essential for the growth of Vineyard."

The Lake Side Power plant will bring desperately needed tax revenue to the town, which lost a giant financial boon after the bankruptcy, closure and current demolition of the steel production company — a Utah County landmark since the early 40s.

"We are very pleased with the progress we see as we look out our windows," said Richard Ross, a Geneva employee involved in liquidation efforts. "For the past 60 years, Geneva has been an economic benefit to the community. We feel badly that that role can't be continued."

However, Ross said he believes the new power plant will be the first step toward creating a booming industrial zone, with retail and even possible residential opportunities.

Site grading for the plant — which sits on about 60 acres in a northern corner of former Geneva Steel estate — is already under way, but in a formal groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning, project officials expressed their optimism for the project.

"This is a very important groundbreaking," said Rich Walje, president of Utah Power and overseer of PacifiCorp's affairs in Utah. "Without projects like this, the lights go out."

The state has seen unprecedented load growth, Walje said, which translates to a 3 percent increase each year in the demand for power — demand this plant will easily be able to meet.

The $300 million project uses the newest technology and natural gas, allowing efficient and clean power production, said Robert Looper, vice president for Summit Vineyard LLC., the company developing the project.

The electrical power will be delivered to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses throughout the valley, made possible because the Lake Side plant will connect to other power-delivery systems that feed the state.

Scheduled to be on line by summer of 2007, the project is one of the largest PacifiCorp has worked on. A similar power plant in Mona, is the second-largest project in recent history, Walje said.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, the plant was compared to a car that drives like a BMW, gets the gas mileage of a hybrid car, comes with a 100,000 mile warranty and has a price tag of a Chevy.

"There isn't a better quality, lower cost power plant for the people of Utah County than this one," said Earl Gjelde, president of Summit Power Group Inc. and Summit Vineyard LLC.

The project is a collective effort among Summit Vineyard LLC., PacifiCorp and the technology company, Siemens. PacifiCorp is footing the bill and will take ownership when the project is completed.

Although the plant itself will bring a large chunk of taxes, it's so efficient that only 20 employees will be needed for daily operations. PacifiCorp has encouraged Summit Vineyard LLC. to use local craftsman and laborers during the building process to help benefit area communities.

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