One of the

nation's largest companies is proposing to build a massive power plant

in South Fulton County.

Williams Corp.

announced yesterday its intention of building a 1,230-megawatt energy

supply facility on Peters Road near Fairburn.

Before starting

construction, the firm faces a one-year permitting process, including

a rezoning petition that will go before the Fulton County Commission.

No opposition has yet surfaced, but residents of the area are studying

the company's plans to determine whether they will favor or oppose them.

The 288-acre

site borders Fayette County, and company officials are pledging to use

only 30 acres on the site for the facility.

"The other

250 acres would be preserved as green space," said project director

Dan Skizim.

The project,

called the Fulton Energy Center, is projected to be up and running in

2004. During the construction phase Skizim said between 400 and 700 jobs

would be generated. When the plant is operational, 40 to 50 workers will

staff the facility.

He said the

plant would generate up to $1 million in tax revenue to Fulton County

and have a minimal impact on county services, such as roads and schools.

The facility

will be powered by natural gas and the site was chosen because of its

proximity to the Transco pipeline, which Williams owns.

The company

has been in business since 1908 and is based in Tulsa, Ok. The company

recently spun off its telecom industry to a separate company.

Williams has

provided energy in Georgia for more than 50 years, including the pipeline,

compressor and petroleum stations. The company employs 500 people in the

state.

For information

on the project, go to www.FultonEnergyCenter.com .