Preliminary site work is underway at SWEPCO’s J. Lamar Stall Unit at Arsenal Hill located in Shreveport, La. Construction is expected to begin this summer once necessary regulatory approvals are obtained.

The 508-MW unit is scheduled for commercial operation in 2010 to meet additional electricity demand growth through 2010 and beyond. At a projected cost of $378 million, it will be SWEPCO’s first combined-cycle gas unit, with up to 400 construction jobs and 14 permanent jobs.

The plant is part of SWEPCO’s previously announced plans to meet short-term, intermediate and long-term energy needs of its customers.

Named for former president J. Lamar Stall, the unit is located on the same property as the existing Arsenal Hill 110-MW simple cycle gas-fired unit which will remain in operation.

TIC, with regional offices in Kingwood, Texas, is the procurement and construction firm; Sargent & Lundy Engineers of Chicago, Ill. is the engineering firm.