ASHLAND BAYFRONT POWER PLANT UPDATE

EXCELL ENERGY'S ASHLAND POWER PLANT

Thursday, 9:00 AM.  -4 degrees F, wind SW, moderate with strong gusts.  The sky is clear, the humidity 75% and the barometer trending down, now at 39.35".  It was a three-legged walk for Buddy this morning and my fingers got cold but other than that it is a beautiful morning.

   Back on January 10th we investigated the new construction taking place at Excel Energy's Ashland Bayfront power plant, and speculated as to whether it could be the long-awaited fourth boiler to expand its biomass utilization capacity.  The bad news is that is not what is taking place.  The good news is that it is a project to greatly expand the air pollution abatement of the wood and coal-fired plant, which should ensure the plant's operation far into the foreseeable future.   As I have said before, it is crucial to maintain the operation of this plant that is uniquely capable of recycling waste biomass from area forestry and lumber mill operations.

   The photo is taken from the visitor parking lot and boat launch at the plant's hot pond. I couldn't get any photos, but some small diving ducks, I think golden-eyes, were having a great time diving and chasing fish in the open water, the small fish jumping and splashing trying to avoid the pursuing ducks.