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

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 .