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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Environment - "Regulators to hear comments on Scottsburg biomass project"
Updating earlier ILB entries on the proposed biomass wood-burning power plants in southern Indiana, most recently this one from Feb. 15, 2010, the Louisville Courier Journal reported May 11th that:
State utility regulators will be in Scottsburg this month to take public testimony about a proposed $100 million wood-burning power plant to be built south of town on U.S. 31.The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will conduct an official field hearing to accept oral and written consumer comments regarding the plant proposed by Liberty Green Renewables LLC of Harrison County.
Liberty Green also has proposed a similar plant near Milltown, but the commission will not be taking testimony on that project at its May 26 meeting at Scottsburg High School. The meeting is set for 6 p.m.
Before it begins, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, which represents ratepayers in utility cases, will host an informational meeting to discuss the project and the regulatory process. That meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the high school.
Liberty Green is seeking the utility commission’s approval to build and operate the 28-megawatt electric generating facility. The company plans to use organic waste wood as its fuel and would sell power on the competitive, wholesale electricity market.
The so-called biomass proposal has raised some concerns. Lawmakers have questioned the plant’s environmental impact, including the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, but took no action to stop its construction.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management, meantime, is separately considering pollution control permits for the proposed Scottsburg and Milltown plants. Those permits are pending.
In the utility regulatory case, a group called the Concerned Citizens of Scott County has formally petitioned to provide testimony, which is due in July. The Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana is also weighing in on the case.
The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is preparing its testimony as well. It will be considering the proposed plant's impact on the wholesale electric transmission system, on Indiana utilities, on customer rates, and on future electric needs for Indiana consumers. The OUCC is also reviewing the impact such a facility may have on non-electric utilities – including water and sewer companies.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 13, 2010 09:21 AM
Posted to Environment