Southwestern Electric Power Company has awarded a $700 million contract to Louisiana-based The Shaw Group to build a new, coal-fueled power plant in southwestern Arkansas.
The $1.3 billion plant is scheduled to be completed in 2011. The Fulton plant is to produce 600 megawatts of power.
SWEPCO still needs regulatory approval, however, from officials in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas to build the plant. SWEPCO officials say the new plant will allow the utility to remain a low-cost energy provider.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)