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June 30, 2006 | Thomas Hill celebrates 40 years of operations Contact : Nancy Southworth Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.’s first power plant, Thomas Hill Energy Center, near Moberly, Mo., celebrates 40 years of operation July 6 and 7. "Thomas Hill Unit 1 came on line in 1966 at a time when Missouri’s rural families, farms and businesses were in critical need of more energy,” says Tom Watkins, plant manager. “We appreciate the continued support we receive from the local communities we serve, and we’re proud to have been a good business neighbor over the last 40 years. AECI and Thomas Hill are committed to continuing to meet the future energy needs of rural Missouri with reliable, low-cost power in an environmentally friendly manner.” Growing to meet expanding needs - Thomas Hill has grown since 1966. In 1969, a second power-generating unit came on line, followed by Unit 3 in 1982. Investments in the facility continue today. Earlier this year, AECI began a $220 million, three-year project at Thomas Hill to add new controls that will further improve air quality. Environmentally responsible – The first phase of the $220 million improvement program was completed this spring when new, state-of-the-art burners were added to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions about 20 percent and lower operating costs on future environmental controls. The project, including the burners and coal-flow measurement instrumentation, cost $6 million. Environmental upgrades like this are part of a $1.8 billion investment AECI projects making in the next 10 to 12 years. Such upgrades have paid off. Nationally, America’s air quality is cleaner now than in decades. Emissions regulated by federal clean air laws to protect human health are down 53 percent since 1970. AECI has a history of environmental responsibility. In 1994, it converted from high- to low-sulfur coal at both the Thomas Hill Power Plant and the New Madrid Power Plant in southeast Missouri on the Mississippi River, resulting in a 90 percent systemwide reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions. Since then, AECI has modified the air systems on all three Thomas Hill power-generating units for a total cost of $8.3 million and further nitrogen oxides removal. Systemwide, AECI’s nitrogen oxides emissions have been reduced more than 70 percent below the 1994 rate during the ozone season. A local employer - Local communities have supplied Thomas Hill hundreds of excellent employees over the years and continue to supply high-quality employees today. Among the 267 employees at the plant, 152 reside in Randolph County. Another 107 live in the adjoining counties. These local communities have provided AECI’s Thomas Hill employees an excellent place to live and raise families, as well as provide a good environment in which to do business. A good business neighbor - AECI reciprocates by helping ensure Thomas Hill remains a good industrial citizen and neighbor, providing good jobs, economic growth and support for community projects and causes. Thomas Hill’s original power-generating unit was the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship among AECI, the surrounding communities and the individuals who live and work in those communities. Individuals like Jerry Pinegar, the Randolph County native who began working at the plant in July 1966 with no prior power plant experience. During his 37-year career, Pinegar progressed through plant operations to become plant manager in 1997. He retired in 2003. Payroll at Thomas Hill was $18.2 million in 2005, and AECI paid $2.9 million in property taxes to Randolph County. In the last 11 years, AECI has paid more than $43 million in property taxes to Randolph County. AECI and its employees also contribute directly to local projects and benevolent causes. Examples include the donation of 126 acres in 1998 for the Veteran’s Cemetery at Jacksonville, as well as corporate and employee contributions and service to the local United Way, Relay for Life, YMCA and many others. In April, the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Thomas Hill Power Plant as Business of the Year for its longevity in the region, total impact on the local economy and overall impact on quality of life in the community. To learn more about AECI or Thomas Hill Energy Center, visit www.aeci.org. Thomas Hill stats & facts
Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 800,000 customers. AECI’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members with the vision of being the nation’s lowest-cost wholesale power supplier. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Released: 30 June 2006
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