Gas-fired power plant a step closer to reality
Competitive Power Ventures, a Silver Spring-based company that plans to build a natural gas-fired power plant in Charles County, said yesterday that it has largely completed the state environmental permit process. Joel M. Bright, a hearing examiner for the Public Service Commission, has granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity needed to build and operate the plant. His order becomes effective next month unless the commission decides to modify it. The company is in discussions with local officials over the use of reclaimed water for cooling purposes at the plant. The company expects to begin construction early next year. The 640-megawatt plant would provide electricity to about 600,000 homes in the Washington area and Central Maryland.
