Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davisin Shelton didn't pencil out
By Christopher Dunagan
SHELTON — Adage, a joint-venture energy company, has abandoned its plans for a 55-megawatt power plant in Shelton to be fueled by wood waste, said Tom DePonty, spokesman for the company.
The reason, said DePonty, is "the increasingly difficult energy market for this type of energy development."
DePonty said his company has informed Mason County and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency to quit processing permit applications for the project. He also informed the Port of Shelton that an option for leasing port property will be allowed to expire...
Opposition to the project from area residents, who expressed concern about the effect of pollutants on people and the environment, was never really a factor, DePonty said."We have had a tremendous amount of support," he said. "Woody biomass fits well with Mason County."
Adage, a joint venture between the energy companies Areva and Duke Energy, will continue to exist, DePonty said. If the market bounces back and supports the development of renewable energy, the project could be revived.
Meanwhile, a similar project by Adage in Northern Florida also will not be pursued at this time, according to DePonty. That project has been fully permitted and was about to move ahead if only the electricity market had provided the financial incentive, he said.
Beth McBain, communications specialist for Concerned Citizens of Mason County, which opposed the project, said her group is "very happy" with the pullout by Adage.
Concerns about the project revolved around pollutants that would be released into the air, as well as the potential of groundwater contamination and damage to forestlands, she said.
Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark sent a letter to the Port of Shelton commissioners last week questioning whether adequate wood waste would be available to supply the plant without ecological harm to the forests...
John Dobson, executive director for the Port of Shelton, said the decision by Adage was based on market conditions...
"DePonty said his company has informed Mason County and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency to quit processing permit applications for the project."
ReplyDeleteThat's not the informtaion we are getting from ORCAA. Would that it were so....