The Uintah County Commission agenda included an Ordinance during Monday’s Commission meeting that will help pave the way for an upgrader in Uintah County. The Ordinance amends a use in the I-2 Industrial Zone, changing oil refineries from a Conditional Use to a Permitted Use. The Commission voted to approve the amendment. The $1.4 billion dollar crude oil upgrader is the project of Uintah Advantage. An upgrader is much like a refinery and has the potential to level the playing field so Basin oil is worth as much as the national market. During the presentation by Uintah Advantage during the Commission meeting, it was explained that construction is anticipated to begin in 2019 and that it will be a 30 month construction process. The property in southwest Uintah County west of Pelican Lake is purchased, the air permit obtained, and right of ways are in order for utilities. Once complete, the upgrader is expected to staff approximately 150 high paying full-time positions.
