DKRW submits revised Industrial Siting Permit

Medicine Bow Fuel & Power LLC (MBFP) is showing up on the grid again with a revised Industrial Siting Permit Socioeconomic Impact Analysis Report.

The report was submitted to the Industrial Siting Council June 19, 2013.

A public notice ran in the Saratoga Sun’s legal notices advertising that the Industrial Siting Council has received MBFP’s proposed change in construction schedule and socioeconomic study.

The Saratoga Sun received a copy of the permit update from the Industrial Siting Division.

Copies of the permit are available for public review at the Industrial Siting Division in Cheyenne, or the Carbon County Library in Rawlins.

MBFP is owned by DKRW LLC (each letter represents an initial of each partner) which has a 67.8 percent interest, Arch Coal, which has a 24 percent interest and others with a an 8.2 percent interest.

The revised permit was initiated as a response from a Feb. 19, letter from the Industrial Siting Division about certain items in the November 2012 socioeconomic report.

The inquiries include the number of labor camps, the coal mine and other issues including emissions, worker safety, emergency management and school facilities.

K. Wade Cline, Executive Vice President, Construction and General Counsel told the Industrial Siting Division in its response that MBFP will comply with the existing permits regarding the number of labor camps, which is currently three. If that is to change, MBFP stated they will approach the impacted communities for the input and follow the process of their existing permit.

In response to the coal mine, Cline stated that their original plan was to use the Saddleback Hills underground mine. Cline stated that still remains their “base plan”.

Cline also said in the letter MBFP is spending “considerable amounts on money on third-party studies and engineering work to determine the best course of action for the project.”

Cline states “if a change is made that falls within the requirement of Condition 15, the company will consult all relevant regulatory agencies and seek any necessary approvals.”

Condition 15, of the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council, requires DKRW to notify the Industrial Siting Council of proposed changes to the scope, purpose, size or schedule of the project. In the Industrial Siting Council Decision dated Jan. 16, 2008, it also states that the Industrial Siting Director can authorize changes if “The change should not result in any significant adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts in the area of site influence …”

Condition 15 also states the director may authorize changes if “No Party of Council Member has requested that the matter be heard before the Council in accordance with the permit procedures of W.S. 35-12-106(c)(d).

On July 16, the Carbon County Commissioners sent a letter to the Industrial Siting Division requesting to have the proposed changes read before the Industrial Siting Council. The Industrial Siting Council replied on July 19, stating the Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 1, to consider the proposed amendments to the permit.

The meeting begins 9 a.m., at the First State Bank Conference Center at 1406 16th St. in Wheatland.