Tampa Electric is committed to keeping our communities informed about the status of our construction projects, such as the project announced last year by Separation Technologies, LLC to construct a flyash beneficiation facility at Tampa Electric's Big Bend Power Station.
This project, which will be owned and operated by Separation Technologies, is part of the continued environmental improvements to Big Bend. As you may know, Tampa Electric is currently in the process of installing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to the plant, as part of the company's $1.2 billion environmental improvement plan. SCR installation will dramatically lower Big Bend's emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx).
One of the byproducts of coal combustion is flyash, which if not treated following the SCR process, would be destined for a landfill. Recycling the byproducts of electricity production is a key element in our ongoing commitment to the air, land and water that comprise the environment in which we live. The flyash beneficiation process will make this byproduct suitable for beneficial reuse in cement production.
The project is being constructed on Big Bend property adjacent to Wyandotte Road. It will include a new dedicated truck gate, as well as a storage dome and two storage silos. The dome, which has already been constructed, will hold the untreated flyash. Construction is now commencing on the silos, which are designed to store the treated flyash. When complete, each of these silos will be 180 feet in height and 52 feet in diameter.
We do not anticipate this project will increase truck traffic, since the amount of flyash generated will not increase.
The project is scheduled for completion in early 2008.
