A possible solar project in Pulaski County worth $650 million dollars could soon be built a little south of Karnak, Illinois.
Pulaski County, Ill. (WSIL) --- A possible solar project in Pulaski County worth $650 million dollars could soon be built a little south of Karnak, Illinois.
The 405-megawatt (MW) solar power plant could be built by Vistra Corp. and Pulaski Solar, LLC. and bring more than 1,000 construction jobs to the area.
Mounds resident Devin Amerson says jobs are not always easy to come by.
“It would depend on what you're making or how much you want to make,” Amerson said.
Amerson says he heard about the solar plant through a construction class he is taking.
“It would be a great opportunity for a lot of jobs to come through here,” Amerson said.
Vistra Corp. says they are an integrated retail electricity and power generation company that provides essential power resources to customers, businesses, and communities across the United States.
Vistra spokesperson Meranda Cohn says, “The proposed 405-megawatt Pulaski Solar project aligns with Vistra’s determination to responsibly operate, retire, and renew our Illinois fleet. Projects of this scope and complexity require significant diligence, and obtaining local approval to construct the facility is one of the final steps in our evaluation to proceed with this transformational project.”
If the project is approved by the Pulaski County Board, Vistra reports the plant is expected to provide $117 million in earnings for state workers and $57 million in new property taxes from the plant to local governments.
“We fundamentally believe each plant site is unique, and rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we have spent years in a deliberate process to develop a comprehensive closure and redevelopment plan for the regions impacted by the transition away from coal-fueled generation," Cohn says. "Constructing Pulaski Solar and using pre-existing transmission and utility infrastructure at our retired EEI-Joppa power plant facility is another example of our creative approach to retiring and renewing our Illinois fleet."
In a fiscal impact study from Vistra, they say in the plant's first year of operating, county-wide assessed property value will increase by 75%.
“It would be great for this area. We also need housing,” Mounds resident Larry Winston said.
Winston says he hopes the new economic boost is felt all across the county.
“That’s great, but who's going to get the 1,000 jobs? Who's going to get the benefit from the 1,000 jobs? If you're doing that over there how's it going to affect over here,” Winston asked.
The Pulaski County Board is reviewing how the development will comply with state and local standards.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of our participating landowners and look forward to engaging with the county and neighbors in the coming weeks,” Cohn said.
Vistra Corp. and Pulaski Solar, LLC. Representatives will have a hearing with the County Board on April 9th at Shawnee Community College.
