Coalition Formed To Support Controversial Turk Plant
by March 7, 2011 7:00 pm 97 views
A new coalition has been formed to support efforts to complete the construction of the controversial John W. Turk power plant in southwest Arkansas.
Southwest Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) and the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), today announced the formation of the Arkansas Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Electricity (ACARE), billed as an alliance of Arkansas businesses, utility and cooperative members and community leaders who support the plant’s construction.
The Turk power plant, located in Hempstead County, is an under-construction $1.7 billion coal-fired plant that has been at the center of several legal and regulatory battles. SWEPCO is majority owner and constructor of the Turk plant. AECC is a co-owner.
In a press release, ACARE says its mission is "to educate the citizens of Arkansas about the benefits of the Turk Plant, to the economy and to meeting the state’s future energy needs."
The coalition has launched a website, which you can view here.
“We formed this coalition to give a united voice to the businesses and individuals in Arkansas who support the Turk Plant,” said SWEPCO CEO Venita McCellon-Allen. “Our members understand that the economic vitality of this region requires dependable and affordable electricity. That’s why a majority of people in Arkansas welcome the construction of this plant and want its contribution to the economy.”
Former state Sen. Barbara Horn of Foreman will serve as executive director of ACARE. Horn served in the state House from 1993 to 2000 and the State Senate from 2001 to 2010.
The Turk plant has been at the center of a number of state and federal legal and regulatory battles from local landowners and environment groups that have raised concerns about potential air and water quality issues. Several challenges are currently under appeal.