Binghamton Generating Plant To Resume Operation

A gas-fueled electricity generating facility in Binghamton's First Ward is about to be put back into service.

The plant on Charles Street initially was built to provide energy support for the nearby Anitec production facility.

A business unit owned by Wellhead Electric Company of California acquired the generating plant three years ago.

The company recently decided to resume commercial operations at the generating site.

Tim Bofman, the commissioning manager for the plant, says those operations are expected to start January 1.

Bofman says five or six local employees will be hired to operate the 47 megawatt facility.

Electricity generated by the plant will be sold to the New York State Independent System Operator.

The facility will operate on natural gas, although the owners have indicated they'll preserve the option to utilize fuel oil as a back-up.

A four-hour test run of the plant was conducted on December 18. The facility is expected to operate between 2,000 and 3,000 hours a year.