Enron North America Plans Gas-Fired Power Plant at Columbia River Port

LONGVIEW, WA-Houston-based Enron North America hopes to begin constructing a gas-fired, 249-megawatt plant here next summer on 20 acres leased from the Port of Longview. According to a port official, the largest wholesaler of electricity and natural gas in North America is now conducting environmental studies on the proposed site and applying for the necessary permits. If approved, it will be one of two new power generation facilities. In October, Spokane-based Avista and Steag of Germany announced joint plans to develop a gas-fired, 245-megawatt facility in the Mint Farm Industrial Park in Longview.

Proponents of such projects, several of which have recently been announced throughout the Northwest, say the plants are responding to increased demand for power caused by a growing population of residents and businesses using an increasing amount of electricity. Energy conservation groups, which would rather see more money spent on energy conservation than new power plants, say the recent rash of power plant proposals is due to the region’s proximity to methane-rich Canada and recently-passed Oregon law requiring natural gas plants to offset carbon dioxide emissions.