The Gibbions Creek Power Plant in Grimes County, which closed in 2018 after 35 years of operation, still sits amid sale negotiations.
During a recent board meeting for Bryan Texas utilities, which is one of four cities with the Texas Municipal Power Agency that owns Gibbons Creek, opponents of reopening the plant voiced their concerns of emissions from burning coal. Opponents also voiced their opinions during a TMPA board meeting last week.
General manager of BTU Gary miller, who attended both meetings, says they have “mothballed” the plant, meaning the TMPA does not intend to run it again.
“There is some possibility an interested purchasing party could do that,” said Miller.
Miller said most comments revolved around the unhealthy possibility of a coal fired plant in the area. And while there is a potential buyer currently negotiating, Miller said the board will do what they feel is right for the people.
“What is best for our customer base, what is best for our rate payers and how does any potential sale affect what our rates to our customers are, and taking into account the environmental and health impacts of the community,” said Miller. “So, weighing all those things, our BTU board, our city councils of the four cities will have to make a decision…what is the best direction for us to go.”
Miller said that BTU does not intend on purchasing power, if the plant reopens.
Additionally, some opponents of the plant called for TMPA to re-purpose Gibbons Creek into recreational space and/or turning it into a solar farm, or some other form of green energy.