The Ohio Power Siting Board has just approved construction of a coal-fired electric generating station in Meigs County.

The 960 megawatt facility will be owned and operated by American Municipal Power-Ohio and be located near Letart Falls.

The Siting Board says its staff recommended 34 specific conditions to minimize environmental, social and cultural impacts to the area, and AMP-Ohio has agreed to follow these conditions.

Approximately 12,000 tons of coal will be burned per day when the plant is operating at full capacity.

It will utilize emissions control technology to regulate sulfur dioxide and particulate levels.

AMP-Ohio intends for construction to begin in 2009 and to have the facility fully operational in late 2013.

The project is expected to create up to 1,600 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs.