Amador County – About 100 people filled Evalyn Bishop Hall Thursday to discuss the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant, with its owners saying the plant’s performance will determine its future. Managing Partner Mark D. Thompson said if the plant does not perform as cleanly as it says, “we will be shut down.” He said they are not allowed to operate until they can prove they will do so cleanly, even though a “permit to construct” has been awarded. He said “if this plant doesn’t operate right, it will be closed within 180 days,” by the Environmental Protection Agency, Amador County Air District and the state. Interim Amador Air District director Mike Boitano hosted the presentation, with questions by the public and answers from the county, the project applicant and consultants. Support ranged from across the street, to across the county and across the border and around the state. Rhonda Morningstar Pope, chief of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, whose tribal land is near the Coal Mine Road plant, said she supported the power plant’s reopening, and added that “if you want protection, that’s what your politicians are for.” Calaveras County Supervisor Steve Wilenski said he strongly supported the project but urged the county to hold them to the things they say they will do, which he said he “has come to trust.” Opponents also came from across the street, including Donna Ogilvie, who said “the problem I have with trust is based on the past operators of this plant.” She said she regularly had soot on her property, which she blamed on the power plant’s former operators. Opponent Jerry Cassesi, also a close neighbor, said: “you know where the dust came from but how do you prove where it came from? You can’t.” He said the Ione-area “might end up with a plant that sells its electricity to Sacramento County, and employs people form Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.” A local rancher said his cows have sinus problems and yet there will be tons of wood burned, while he must get a permit for a 4-foot burn pile. Consultant Ray Kapahi (Ka-Pie) said the facility will reduce what a burn pile puts out by 99.5 percent. The rancher then said, “air pollution doesn’t seem to be the top priority, so why are we starting with that?” Boitano said they are “not here to put any issue above another,” but to deal with air. Thompson said he understood about the trust issue, and was in the school of President Ronald Regan, acknowledging that “there are reasons to trust but verify.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – About 100 people filled Evalyn Bishop Hall Thursday to discuss the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant, with its owners saying the plant’s performance will determine its future. Managing Partner Mark D. Thompson said if the plant does not perform as cleanly as it says, “we will be shut down.” He said they are not allowed to operate until they can prove they will do so cleanly, even though a “permit to construct” has been awarded. He said “if this plant doesn’t operate right, it will be closed within 180 days,” by the Environmental Protection Agency, Amador County Air District and the state. Interim Amador Air District director Mike Boitano hosted the presentation, with questions by the public and answers from the county, the project applicant and consultants. Support ranged from across the street, to across the county and across the border and around the state. Rhonda Morningstar Pope, chief of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, whose tribal land is near the Coal Mine Road plant, said she supported the power plant’s reopening, and added that “if you want protection, that’s what your politicians are for.” Calaveras County Supervisor Steve Wilenski said he strongly supported the project but urged the county to hold them to the things they say they will do, which he said he “has come to trust.” Opponents also came from across the street, including Donna Ogilvie, who said “the problem I have with trust is based on the past operators of this plant.” She said she regularly had soot on her property, which she blamed on the power plant’s former operators. Opponent Jerry Cassesi, also a close neighbor, said: “you know where the dust came from but how do you prove where it came from? You can’t.” He said the Ione-area “might end up with a plant that sells its electricity to Sacramento County, and employs people form Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.” A local rancher said his cows have sinus problems and yet there will be tons of wood burned, while he must get a permit for a 4-foot burn pile. Consultant Ray Kapahi (Ka-Pie) said the facility will reduce what a burn pile puts out by 99.5 percent. The rancher then said, “air pollution doesn’t seem to be the top priority, so why are we starting with that?” Boitano said they are “not here to put any issue above another,” but to deal with air. Thompson said he understood about the trust issue, and was in the school of President Ronald Regan, acknowledging that “there are reasons to trust but verify.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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