Alliant choses site for new power plant

Alliant Energy officials have made their decision on where to place a new power plant. The current site of Alliant’s substation near Emery in Cerro Gordo County will be the site for the company’s new 400-million dollar, 500-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant. An official announcement is scheduled at the substation just off of the Avenue of the Saints between Mason City and Clear Lake for 2 o’clock this afternoon. Alliant officials last week told us that the Emery location had three major advantages, two major natural gas pipelines are close to the proposed site, there are existing transmission lines capable of moving the power generated at the pant, and an option agreement to purchase additional property needed for the plant. Alliant officials last week were also happy that the communities and counties surrounding Cerro Gordo County were also rolling out the welcome mat for the project. Interstate Power and Light president Eliot Protsch and Governor Tom Vilsack will be on hand for this afternoon’s news conference.