Amador County – With several people from District 2 raising questions about their new neighbor’s proposed emissions, Amador County Board of Supervisors last week satisfied at least themselves with regulations in place to govern the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant on Coal Mine Road.
Supervisors approved the permit for the combustion-powered electricity plant but not before talking about emissions, among other things.
Jackson Valley resident Donna Oglevie asked if there will be “built-in,” and “ongoing monitoring to assure compliance” of emissions standards at the plant. Air Pollution Control Office Mike Boitano said if they do not comply with monitoring, they do not get a permit to operate.
County consultant Gary Jakobs of Ascent Environmental said his study of impacts called the emissions “cumulatively significant,” but he said “mountain counties” do not have a threshold in place for emissions. He said new California Environmental Quality Act thresholds were used, and Ascent’s work was “based on substantial evidence and based on a goal the state wants to meet.”
A woman with a ranch near the Buena Vista plant asked “why they did not aim for the lowest possible emissions.” She also liked Supervisor Richard Forster’s idea to require keeping up on new technology. Forster said he would like to remove wording from conditions of approval that allow for newer technology when “economically feasible,” and make it “enforceable” to require the best technology available.
Planner Nathan Lishman said the 1983 conditions could be changed at the board’s desire.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said to put that condition “on a company this size” would not be economically viable, “unless you are going to have an endless stream of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ for biomass plants.”
Supervisor Louis Boitano said the EPA requires upgrades when it deems them needed. Air Officer Mike Boitano said “we don’t regulate systems, and I’m not sure where my authority starts and stops on something like that.” He said the EPA “will certify equipment but they won’t tell you which ones to go out and get.”
County special counsel Al Herson said federal, state and local law apply, and provisions may be added when permits are renewed. After a break, County Deputy Counsel Greg Gillott said “there is no time limit on the validity of a use permit,” but “the board can place one on it.” He said the county can review the facility for compliance, and if in violation, the permit can be revoked.
Ascent’s Doug Brown said “the facility will get the best technology available,” and will achieve the required emission level.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
