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City councillors in Moose Jaw have given a big thumbs up to a new SaskPower plant, authorizing the sale of the land.
In a special council meeting on Friday, council voted unanimously to give the city authorization to sign the agreement with SaskPower.
It’s for the sale of 109.82 acres of land in the Southeast Industrial area, for $5,600 per acre to get up to $614,992 total.
All of the councillors spoke in favour of the plan, many seemed excited at the prospect.
“I think this is a great way for us to kick-start our economy,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie in the meeting.
“I believe that this is a great foundational stone for the city of Moose Jaw.
One resident of Moose Jaw did speak up at the meeting, raising concerns that the proposed area for the 350 megawatt combined cycle gas facility is a little too close to nearby homes, but council quickly moved past that, saying SaskPower will continue with community consultations.
SaskPower will be the first tenant for the Southeast Industrial area, on the south side of the city near Highway 2. There were talks about a pea plant opening there a couple years ago, but those plans fell through.
The plant in Moose Jaw will be very similar to the Chinook Plant in Swift Current. Natural gas will be burned, moving turbines, and the waste from the burning will be used to create steam, which will also move turbines, producing electricity.
Construction of the facility is reportedly expected to create about 600 jobs, with another 25 created for the maintenance of the plant.
It could take a while before shovels go in the ground though; SaskPower is expecting it to be completed by 2024.
