Funds asked for synthetic fuel plant

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Three separate companies are interested in the former Eljer plant in Salem

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

EAST LIVERPOOL — The Columbiana County Port Authority will ask the state to provide $5 million to help develop a coal-to-synthetic fuel plant.

The port authority is working with Baard Energy of Vancouver, Wash., doing business as Ohio River Clean Fuels, to create a $4 billion facility in Yellow Creek Township.

Tracy Drake, the chief executive officer of the port authority, told the board on Monday the $5 million was the most he could ask for.

The board voted to approve the application to the program that provides funds from the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Job Ready Sites Program.

Drake said the application requires a matching portion from the authority.

Drake said that when he makes the application, he'll put down about $3.7 billion as the amount of funds from investors that would pay for the plant's construction. The rest would come from public funds.

The state money to help prepare the site is only a tiny portion of the cost.

Drake said legislators and government offices in Columbus "strongly back this project."

The facility would turn tons of Ohio's high-sulfur coal into fuel. The tentative site is near the authority's new port that can handle water, rail and road shipping.

"I've not heard of any opposition toward the project," Drake said. "We'll go for all the state and federal money we can get."

Drake said last month that the ODOD was going ahead with the permit process. He said he was unsure of the status of the process.

The approaching winter may actually speed the development process, he added. Drake said once the leaves drop, "It's easier to see what you're working with."

In other action, Drake told the board that three companies are considering buying the former Eljer Plumbingware facility in Salem. It is owned by Jacuzzi.

The site has about 40 usable acres and 30 to 40 acres that are a sealed hazardous waste site that contains foundry waste — sand and bits of metal.

The authority may get involved to help transfer the property to limit a new owner's potential liability.

Drake said the authority doesn't have money now to help with the project, but would get it if needed.

wilkinson@vindy.com.

Monday, October 16, 2006