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--> --> Power plant proposed near Bonanza KLAMATH FALLS (AP) - A $600 million power plant may be one of the best ways to help revive the local economy, officials say. The 1,100-megawatt natural gas power plant was proposed by Peoples Energy Resources, a Chicago-based project. Project director Robert Trotta and Trey Senn, executive director of the Klamath County Economic Development Association, outlined plans for the power plant Wednesday in a meeting with business people, school officials and community leaders at the Running Y Ranch Resort. Senn recalled a challenge U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., issued back in July, when Walden told local leaders to "think outside the box" in searching for projects that would help the economy recover from agricultural losses during last summer's drought. Farmers say federal officials made the situation worse when they halted the release of Klamath Lake irrigation water in order to meet requirements of the Endangered Species Act and protect threatened fish. Senn now is calling on Walden and the rest of the Oregon congressional delegation to support the designation of an "empowerment zone" that could speed the power plant's development. "We all seized on this project and saw it as a priority," Senn said. "We did think outside the box, and I think this is a pretty significant thing we are doing here." An empowerment zone will provide federal money and tax incentives for economic development projects in the county. Senn said the Klamath County application is one of more than 35 received by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, and he wants Walden's help in securing the designation. Walden said he is happy to help. "I am just delighted," Walden said Wednesday. "Part of my challenge to them was to get them to think about the water situation, and how we are trying to think in every way we can as we address the harm done to the Klamath Basin this year." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing