Site picked for new plant to generate steam

The Baltimore Thermal Energy Corp. has selected a four-story warehouse at 641 W. Mulberry St. as the proposed site for an $18.8 million steam generating plant that would replace one that was demolished to become right field in the Camden Yards baseball stadium.

Company representatives unveiled plans for the proposed plant yesterday at a meeting of Baltimore's Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, which must give its approval before construction can begin. A decision is expected in seven to 10 days.

Baltimore Thermal supplies steam used to heat and cool 70 percent of the buildings in downtown Baltimore, including City Hall, University Hospital, the Murphy Homes and other large users.

The Maryland Stadium Authority agreed to pay the company up to $18.8 million to cover the cost of replacing its Camden Yards "peaker" plant, which was used to supplement other generating plants on the 50 or so coldest days of the year.