POMEROY -American Electric Power has established a five-year timetable for construction of its $1 billion clean coal power plant, beginning with the company's announcement in 2004 of its plan to build at least one IGCC plant, to commercial operation in mid-2010.

The power company plans to complete the engineering and design process for the plant by October, about the same time the Ohio Power Siting Board is expected to rule on plans to build the plant here.

AEP included a project schedule for its proposed plant in information presented at a public meeting held last week in Racine. The informational meeting was a requirement for AEP's planned application with the OPSB, which grants authority to build new power plants.

AEP expects to file its Completeness Review with the OPSB, next month, and a decision is expected from the board sometime in the third quarter of this year.

A year ago, AEP announced that its property in Lebanon Township was the priority of three choices for a new clean-coal plant designed to help meet an increasing demand for electricity for its customers. In February 2005, AEP signed an agreement with PJM Interconnection to evaluate transmission feasibility for the three sites, the first time the power company announced it would seek permission to build in Meigs County.

In March, AEP filed a cost recovery plan with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, after the PUCO suggested the company proceed with construction. A decision from the utility regulating board is still pending.

In September, AEP signed an agreement with GE Energy and Bechtel Corporation for the engineering design of the plant.

If the PUCO approves the cost recovery plan and the Ohio Power Siting Board approves AEP's application, the next four years would be spent on more detailed engineering, procurement, construction and start-up, according to AEP's project schedule, with commercial operation beginning in the middle of 2010.