Cotton Blog - Congratulations Turk Power Plant

Statement

Congratulations to the John W. Turk, Jr. Power Plant of Hempstead County which was recently recognized by POWER Magazine as the 2013 Plant of the Year Award winner! Earlier this year, the Turk Plant was also awarded the prestigious 2013 Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute.

Turk is a wonderful operation located outside of Texarkana in Hempstead. Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to tour Turk Power Plant and learn more about the plant's operations. Turk is modern, clean power plant that provides hundreds of jobs in south Arkansas. Further, the plant is equipped with new technology that allows it to operate at higher temperatures--making it more efficient and resulting in lower emissions than conventional subcritical coal-fired plants. Turk is the only power plant in the country to use this technology.

Additionally, Turk has partnered with local colleges to establish training programs specific to their industry. They created the Power Plant Technology Program for power plant operators at University of Arkansas Community College in Hope (UACCH). More than 30 current Turk employees came to the plant from this program and it continues to grow.

Congratulations again to Turk Power Plants for their accomplishments. Even in the face of this administration war on coal, Turk has worked hard to build maintain their operation. I look forward to visiting the plant again soon!

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