Gas conversion project in Pike Co. gets tax breaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A project to build a facility that would convert natural gas to synthetic diesel and other products in Pike County has received approval for $18 million in state tax incentives.

RCC Big Shoal seeks to build a plant that would use natural gas to create synthetic fuel, base oils and lubricants.

Several local officials including Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne Rutherford attended an announcement of the tax incentives Thursday in Louisville.

Rutherford says the planned project is good news for a county where coal production continues to decline. The plant would draw natural gas extracted from Pike County and other nearby sources.

The first phase of the project would cost nearly $200 million and employ about 30 people upon completion.

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