Wyo. Regulators OK Power Plant

The Wyoming Public Service Commission approved a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the project, said Chris Petrie, secretary and chief counsel for the commission.

Black Hills Power, an electric utility subsidiary of the company, said construction will begin immediately on the coal-fired plant, Wygen III. It is expected to take 24 to 30 months and cost an expected $255 million, the company said.

The state Industrial Siting Council in January approved the plant, which has received support from local government officials who tout its economic benefits.

David R. Emery, chief executive of Black Hills said the new plant will be built alongside the existing Wygen II plant. He said the two plants will share a control room, as well as coal-handing facilities and other infrastructure.

Emery said the new plant will use emissions control technology, including mercury emissions reduction.