Jacskon – The Amador Air District Board of Directors sought to answer questions about the Buena Vista Biomass Power company Tuesday, after a public meeting. The main question was whether or not the county can transfer ownership of permits – and whether they might need to do a new Environmental Impact Report – at the former Cogen combustion power plant on Coal Mine Road. Buena Vista Biomass Power Managing Partner Mark Thompson said that since the company is in the process of acquiring the plant from the Oneto Group, “we wanted to have ownership of the site before we came before the county.” Right now, BVBP has the original construction permit, and is looking to get the original operating permit. He said the company was determined to open the plant, and if needed, would carry out EIR proceedings. Supervisor Richard Forster asked if there is “a legal requirement for a new EIR,” and whether the permit was transferable. Board Chairman Ted Novelli directed staff and the county attorney to answer those questions at the air board’s September 2nd meeting. Four members of the public spoke. Jackson Valley’s Jerry Cassesi said burning wood waste was good, but he was concerned about the permitting process. He said the permit cannot be transferred, and it expired in 2006. And he asked if an EIR done in 1996 was sufficient for a project in 2009. He also asked about oversight and monitoring. Board member Jon Colburn said he was “amazed that the EIR would carry over that long.” Bill May of Jackson Valley Road wanted a copy of any existing county legal opinion on the matter, and was concerned about trucks taking wood chips to the plant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Donna Ogilvie of Ione said she lives “within breathing distance” of the plant, was told that “protesting this is too late, the horse is already out of the barn.” She told the board: “You better get that horse.” Kathy Dobois (DooBwah) asked about “residual toxins” and impacts on air and a pond there. Thompson said the plant will operate around the clock, using a 35 days’ supply of material (in 3-inch wood chips) stored at the plant. It will accept truck deliveries only on weekdays and for safety, trucks will not run at night. He said the plant would not discharge any water. Thompson said the company would answer the more technical questions in writing online. That includes issues such as toxins, emissions, monitoring and fire safety. See the answers at www.bv-biomass.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.