Last week's

announcement by Williams Corp. that it intends to build a power plan in

South Fulton County has caused barely a ripple on the political landscape

yet.

Williams announced

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.

Contacted earlier

this week, Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards said he is still studying

the company's proposal. Until he gets all the information he needs, Edwards

won't comment on it.

The 288-acre

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

only 30 acres on the site for the facility.

The project,

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

2004.

During Monday

night's Fairburn City Council meeting, City Administrator Tony Cox announced

the company's intent to build the plant and said the situation would require

careful monitoring by the council.

"This

is just a massive operation," he said.

Cox was not

sure what sort of noise abatement issues would have to be settled, but

pledged to keep the council informed of the plant's progress.

City Attorney

Brad Sears said he imagined the noise issues would center on the start-up

of the plant.

"In any

turbine engine, the start-up phase is always the loudest," he said.

Plant officials

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. For information

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

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