Power plant announced for South Texas

BROWNSVILLE, Texas— A natural gas-fired power plant will be built in South Texas and is expected to meet the electricity needs of 100,000 homes.

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board signed a development agreement with Tenaska Inc. for an 800megawatt plant. Tenaska is an energy company based in Omaha, Neb. The agreement was signed last week and officials announced the project Monday.

The plant will use water from the city-owned utility’s wastewater treatment plant.

A gas pipeline will be extended about 50 miles from the northwest to supply the plant with fuel.

Officials say about 600 to 700 jobs will be created during construction, and the plant will provide about 25 full-time jobs.