NATCHEZ — A clean energy company is continuing the due diligence process needed to determine if it will locate a 150-job natural gas-to-liquids plant in Adams County.

EmberClear has executed an 18-month option with Adams County for 70 acres of the former International Paper property.

The land, located north of the 30 acres Delta-Energy is purchasing from the county, could be developed into a plant representing a possible $500-$900 million investment.

Economic development officials have been quick to caution that the process is still in the early stages, but Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said this month the company is in the process of getting permits moved on the property.

“They seem to be doing well, moving the project along from engineering and permitting perspective,” Russ said.

The county has already received its payment for the option on the property, and EmberClear is looking at financing for the project, he said.

“From their fundraising (perspective), they seem to be doing OK based on the discussions we have had with the company,” Russ said.

According to the company’s website, EmberClear is developing two gas-to-liquids facilities in Mississippi, but the Adams County proposal was the first to obtain all its permits.

The project will create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and “150 permanent onsite or related career opportunities,” the website reads.

The permitted site is 800 acres overlooking the Mississippi River, and the plant will produce 4,000 barrels of methanol daily and will be capable of converting it into 14,000 barrels of gasoline and liquid petroleum gasses a day.

The second Mississippi project will be located in Biennville.

EmberClear is a publicly traded company on the Toronto TSX Venture Exchange.