Letter to John Dobson & Port of Shelton

Have All Ties Between Port & ADAGE Been Severed?

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Dick and Joann Curtis Mason County Progressive

Dear Sirs,

Written in the news release dated 3/13/11, you indicated that the ADAGE representative notified you of their "intent" to halt development of their proposed wood-fired power plant. Has the Port of Shelton received formal, written directives that ADAGE "is" halting all development of the proposed plant?

Additionally, the quote that "...ultimately the decision by ADAGE to suspend development was made by the marketplace" poses several critical questions. To us, and according to Webster's Dictionary, the term "suspend" means to: a) put on hold; b) delay action --- all of which are temporary in nature. Is it the Port of Shelton's understanding that this is not a temporary action but rather a permanent action?

The next question is: ADAGE has never been able to find local (WA) buyers for its produced electricity, and has indicated that a sale to California was possible. How does the Port of Shelton respond to this issue of a soft-market when a probable sale was likely?

The news release states that "ADAGE had planned to build a 55 MW wood-fired boiler to generate electricity". Why is 55 MW being stated here? The revised permit applications to ORCAA and SEPA have 65 MW production stated. Why the difference? Does this really indicate that ADAGE is halting/suspending the original plans for a 55 MW plant, but will be planning to proceed with the 65 MW facility?

Finally, since ADAGE is stopping plans to build the proposed plant in Mason County, Washington, has the Port of Shelton been formally released from the "Option to Lease" with ADAGE? This option was to be valid for 3-4 years. Has the Port of Shelton been formally released from all intents to lease any Port property to ADAGE? In other words, have all ties between the Port and ADAGE been severed formally and legally?

Thank you in advance for your written response to this email,

Dick and JoAnn Curtis
Shelton, WA