Press Release Archive
Austin Energy removing oil from Holly
Austin Energy currently is removing
the fuel oil from two tanks at the Holly Power Plant as part
of the steps being taken in preparation for the retirement
of the plant.
The two tanks are scheduled to be removed
next year and scrapped allowing the back portion of Holly
to be remediated into parkland overlooking Town Lake once
the plant closes. A smaller third tank that no longer contains
oil will be converted into a water tank for use in emissions
control but also will be removed when the plant closes.
Holly operates on natural gas but has maintained
a supply of low-sulfur fuel oil on which it could operate
in the event of a natural gas shortage or curtailment. All
the fuel oil from the tanks will be removed within the next
two weeks.
"The removal of this fuel oil is one
of the steps we can take now in preparation for the retirement
of Holly," said General Manager Juan Garza. "We
have made the policy decision that even in the event of a
disruption of natural gas supply to this plant, we would make
other arrangements for power rather than operate Holly on
fuel oil."
Last month, a $4 million autotransformer
was delivered for installation at the substation that serves
the Holly plant. The equipment is needed to step down for
further distribution bulk power that will have to be imported
to serve the downtown and surrounding area once Holly is closed.
Austin Energy has spent more than $47 million
to date on system improvements in preparation to close Holly
and is scheduled to spend an additional $30 million. The plant
is scheduled to close by no later than 2009 with the goal
to retire the plant sooner.
For more information, contact Ed
Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000 |
