P&G PLANT EXPANSION MAY START IN EARLY '98; UE TO REROUTE ELECTRIC LINE

Construction of an 850,000-square-foot addition to Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co.'s plant north of Cape Girardeau could start in early 1998.

"We're still waiting for an air permit before actual construction starts," said Mike Jennewein, human-relations manager at P&G. "Hopefully, the permits will be in tact, and construction can get under way in late January or early February."

Site preparation continues just north of the plant, said Jennewein. "We're finishing up with dirt work," he said.

He said some pile testings were going on. Once the company gets the OK "we can start driving piling," said Jennewein.

The company received good news this week: The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an application filed by Union Electric Co. to remove, reroute and replace a transmission line on P&G property.

Union Electric, in its application to the PSC, said the proposed rerouting and replacement of the 161-kilovolt line and construction of a double-circuit 161-kv transmission line was needed for two reasons: The line on the property blocks construction of the tissue and towel production plant addition, and there will be a substantial increase in the demand for electricity by P&G.

The new line, said UE spokesmen, will provide that additional power and improve it reliability.

P&G announced in April that it will build the $350 million addition to enable an increase in production of tissues and towels. The expansion, one of the top three industrial projects in Missouri over the past decade, will result in more than 350 new jobs and will put about 20 acres under roof.

A section of Route J north of the plant was recently relocated to make way for the expansion. The relocation called for moving a 1.1-mile section of the road.

Union Electric proposes the rerouting of the transmission line outside its certificated service area entirely on property owned by P&G. P&G will reimburse UE for costs associated with the rerouting and replacement of the line.

The the new line will run to the south of relocated Route J, then east to P&G.