Synergen temporarily pausing ammonia plant development

Company explains need for more time to solidify infrastructure plans

  • This parcel of ground just south of Highway 34 by the Mars Petcare facility (seen in the background) is the location of a proposed Synergen ammonia plant. Company officials announced Tuesday that the application has been temporarily paused.
    This parcel of ground just south of Highway 34 by the Mars Petcare facility (seen in the background) is the location of a proposed Synergen ammonia plant. Company officials announced Tuesday that the application has been temporarily paused.

    Synergen Green Energy Inc. is temporarily pausing development activities on the planned ammonia plant project on Highway 34 just west of Aurora, company officials announced Tuesday in a press release. The project will remain paused while Synergen leadership continues to work with local officials to solidify key components of the project — including potential delays in its ability to gain access to public power.

    “Pausing the permitting process does not mean we are leaving the Aurora community,” said John Hewitt, Synergen vice president of project development. “Out of respect for the Hamilton County residents and community leaders, it is paramount that we work with local officials to resolve any issues that have come to light before proceeding further with permitting the plant. Synergen will withdraw its pending application for a conditional use permit until ready to proceed further.”

    In addition to creating approximately 65 new, permanent jobs, the Synergen ammonia plant is projected to contribute more than $50 million in property tax revenue over a 30-year period — with more than 70 percent of that amount allocated to Aurora Public Schools, according to the press release. The plant would also be poised to put a 600-metric-ton dent in Midwestern ammonia imports (totaling more than a million tons annually from the Middle East, Russia and Trinidad).

    “We look forward to continuing our work with Synergen and other organizations,” said Kelsey Bergen, executive director of the Aurora Development Corporation. “ADC is uniquely positioned to lead the important conversation around opportunities for Aurora to grow and welcome new families while empowering the agriculture community to prosper.”