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the first of its kind, employing new, still unproven technologies
to convert domestic coal into pipeline-quality natural gas.
DOE actively supported the project, which appeared to hold
great promise as an alternative energy source.5 Mr. Jack
O’Leary, who was then Deputy Secretary of Energy, encouraged
several interstate pipeline companies to form a consortium to
raise money for the Great Plains project. Ultimately, five
interstate pipeline companies agreed to form a partnership
(through their subsidiaries) to design, build, and operate the
plant. In addition to ANRC, these companies were Transco Energy
Co. (Transco Energy), Tenneco, Inc., Pacific Lighting Co., and
MidCon Corp.
The Partnership
The partnership, Great Plains Gasification Associates, was
formed in 1978 under North Dakota law. The five general partners
were wholly owned subsidiaries of the just-named pipeline
companies, with ownership percentages in the partnership as
follows:
5 Ultimately, DOE viewed the project as a “demonstration
program” within the meaning of sec. 207 of Title II of the
Department of Energy Act of 1978--Civilian Applications, Pub. L.
95-238, 92 Stat. 61, to produce alternative fuels from coal and
other domestic resources and to provide technical and
environmental knowledge to assess the long-term viability of
synthetic fuel production in the United States.
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