Stable power for biodefence facilities

A

and

team is to build and operate a $100m central utility plant to provide secure energy to the

(NIBC). The Campus is under construction at the US Army's Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland.

The plant will be the first energy project established through the US Department of Defense's enhanced-use leasing authority, which allows private companies to develop military property. Keenan Development is leasing the project land from Fort Detrick and will own the plant. Chevron Energy Solutions is designing and building the plant and will operate it.

When completed in early 2008, the energy efficient facility will deliver reliable steam, chilled water and conditioned stand-by emergency power to the NIBC. The plant will support some of the highest level bio-safety containment laboratories in the world. These include the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility; the Department of Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC); US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID); and Fort Detrick's Steam Sterilisation Plant.

The NIBC is a key component of the National Biodefense Strategy, a multi-agency directive established by the US Government in response to the September 2001 terrorist attacks. Fort Detrick was chosen as the site of the NIBC due to the established presence of USAMRIID, with its expertise in biodefense and medical research, and because of the security the post provides.