October Start for Construction of Trumbull Energy Center

WARREN, Ohio – Construction of the long-delayed Trumbull Energy Center in Lordstown should get underway in October, an official with the company developing the project today told the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Steve Remillard, executive vice president of development for the company, told the WRPA board of directors this morning that the company expects to close on financing by the middle of next month.

“We want to thank the port authority for the support,” including with negotiating an easement and helping to resolve water supply issues for the plant, Remillard said. 

At the meeting, the port authority board approved execution of a term sheet and preliminary agreement with Clean Energy Future – Trumbull LLC in connection with a capital lease and to issue a sales tax exemption for the $1.2 billion 940-megawatt plant.

Under the terms of the agreement, WRPA will hold the property for five years and lease it back to Clean Energy Future – Trumbull, said Anthony Trevena, WRPA executive director. Issuance of the sales tax exemption certificate will save the company approximately $6 million in sales tax on the purchase of construction materials, he estimated.

Construction of the plant will take about 39 months, Remillard said. Once completed the natural gas-fueled plant will employ 22 or 23 workers full time but result in “plenty of construction jobs,” he said.

Trevena put the estimated number of construction jobs at 400 to 550. Board member Martin Loney estimated construction will require about 2.5 million manhours.

Having the power generated by Trumbull Energy and Lordstown Energy Center in the village “is definitely an advantage to the community” when it comes to attracting future development, Trevena acknowledged.

The Trumbull Energy Center project, first announced 2019, has undergone ups and downs. Lack of financing delayed, then killed the project. It was put back on course then threatened by political issues regarding what water system would serve the site.

Also during the meeting, the port authority authorized Trevena to acquire a commercial building at 1528 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, for up to $70,000 from Mary Ann Sayavich, contingent on proper due diligence and approval of legal counsel.

“There are multiple uses that could be considered for it,” Trevena said.

Pictured at top, from left: Anthony Trevena, Steve Remillard and Rich Edwards.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.