Kanaab

Project Location

The project is located in Kanab, Utah, specifically in Kane County. For the Utah Coal and Biomass Fueled Pilot Plant, the site is approximately 2.5 miles south of the downtown area of Kanab.

Project Description

Utah Coal and Biomass Fueled Pilot Plant

• This project involves the construction and operation of a pilot plant by Viresco Energy, LLC, with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
• The pilot plant would be situated on a 1.5-acre site within a 10-acre area leased by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.
• The plant is designed to test the feasibility of using a combination of coal and biomass as fuel. It would operate for a series of test runs totaling 30 days over several months, with potential for up to 130 days of operation per year, including a possible 90-day continuous test run.

Alton Coal Development

• While not directly related to the pilot plant, another significant energy-related project in the area is the Alton Coal Development, which involves commercial coal mining operations in the North Private Lease Area (NPLA) of Kane County.
• This project includes surface coal mining in three areas, with impacts on wetlands and intermittent streams like Kanab Creek. The mining operations are planned to be restored to their original contour and revegetated after completion.

Environmental Impact

• The Utah Coal and Biomass Fueled Pilot Plant is expected to have minimal environmental impact due to its small scale and temporary operation. The City of Kanab would be responsible for water supply and sanitary wastewater disposal, while Viresco would handle solid waste (coal ash) and process wastewater disposal.
• For the Alton Coal Development, the environmental impact includes the loss of wetlands and open water, as well as the temporary impact on Kanab Creek. The project requires restoration of the affected areas, including revegetation and monitoring for 5 years.

Employment and Economic Impact

• The Utah Coal and Biomass Fueled Pilot Plant is expected to create nine new jobs in the high-wage service industry, specifically in engineering, in the Kanab and Kane County area.

Operational Details

• The pilot plant would operate under specific conditions and permits, with the goal of collecting data during the test runs. After the initial funding period, Viresco plans to seek additional funding for continued operations.
• The site would be decommissioned and restored no later than the end of the site lease period.

Regulatory and Permitting

• The project requires various permits and approvals, including those from the U.S. Department of Energy and local authorities. For the Alton Coal Development, a Nationwide Permit 14 was issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to authorize the discharge of fill into wetlands.