8 Flags Energy alerts area residents of steam blowout April 5

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

March 31, 2016 11:03 a.m.

"The blowout will run for six hours from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m."

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8 Flags Energy, LLC will perform a “steam blowout” on Tuesday, April 5 to ensure the proper start up of a co-generation plant under construction on land leased from Rayonier Performance Fiber (RPF). The construction is underway on RPF’s Gum Street location in Fernandina Beach.

Once the  blowout begins a constant sound will be emitted. To cause as little disturbance as possible, 8 Flags Energy has placed a lower level silencer on the pipe. The blowout will run for six hours from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Another steam blowout of shorter duration is expected in May.

According to Geroge Caradeas, piping project manager, the blowout is necessary to insure the successful completion of a plant that will provide “reliable and economically reasonable priced green energy" to the area.

Once construction is completed, a combined heat and power plant will generate steam for Rayonier Performance Fibers, and produce approximately 20 MW of power for distribution to retail electric customers of Florida Public Utilities.”

For more information on the co-generation plant, click here.