UE PLANS TO RELOCATE POWER LINE AT P&G

Union Electric Co. is seeking authority to remove, reroute and replace a transmission line on Procter & Gamble Co. property north of Cape Girardeau.

The request to the Missouri Public Service Commission seeks commission authority to remove and reroute a 161-kilovolt line and construct a double-circuit 161-KV line in its place.

Union Electric says the rerouting and replacement is needed for two reasons: The line on the property blocks construction of a tissue and towel production plant adjacent to P&G's existing diaper plant, and there is a substantial increase in the demand for electricity by P&G.

"We know that P&G will need a substantial increase in power," said Doug Groesbeck, manager of UE's Southeast Missouri district. "This new line will provide that additional power and improve its reliability

P&G announced in April that it will build a $350 million addition to its Cape Girardeau County plant 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 350 more jobs and will put about 20 acres under roof, which translates into more than 850,000 square feet.

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

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

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

Applications to intervene and, or participate in the UE proposal must be filed on or before Nov. 10, with Cecil I. Wright of the PSC. Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal may contact the PSC's Office of Public Counsel, P.O. Box, 7800, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102, or telephone (573)-751-4857.

Meanwhile, site preparation work is under way at the site of the P&G expansion just north of the existing P&G plant.

"We're still waiting for some permits before actual construction starts," said Mike Jennewein, human-relations manager at P&G. "Hopefully, the permits will be in tact and construction could get under way in mid-to-late November.