MAGNOLIA — Community members in Arkadelphia, Camden, and Benton are being invited to a series of town meetings to discuss the potential of promoting and developing the mining of lignite in Arkansas. The meetings are being hosted by State Representative Garry Smith of Camden and the Natural Resources Research Center at Southern Arkansas University.
Meetings have already been held in Hope, Magnolia, and Hampton. Dates and locations for the remaining town meetings are as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center, 2555 Twin Rivers Drive, Arkadelphia; Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Benton Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Center, 607 N. Market Street, Benton; and Friday, Jan. 7 at the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development, 625 Adams Street, Camden. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
South Arkansas has approximately nine billion tons of lignite resources that remain unexplored and undeveloped. In 2007, the Arkansas General Assembly approved the Arkansas Lignite Resources Pilot Program, directing the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to work with SAU and the Arkansas Geological Survey in developing and promoting Arkansas lignite for economic purposes. Surrounding states including Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana are already reaping dividends from lignite development.
“With a firm commitment to the use of clean coal technology and the most advanced and environmentally friendly practices available, the lignite process could result in tremendous economic benefit for Arkansas, as well as having the potential for significant impact on energy security in the United States,” Smith said.
The scheduled town meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to hear of the potential economic benefits to south Arkansas. Financial, geological, and environmental information related to the production of crude oil from lignite will be provided to those who attend.
