Wisconsin Ag Connection - Group Calling for Impact Study on Proposed Biomass Plant

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Group Calling for Impact Study on Proposed Biomass Plant
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/20/2010

The state's Citizens Utility Board is crying foul after the Wisconsin Public Service Commission decided it was not necessary to conduct an environmental impact statement for the proposed biomass plant near Wausau.

The WPS said it drafted a preliminary environmental assessment of the project and found it would pose no significant threat to the quality of the environment. But last week, the CUB asked the PSC to reconsider because their own research determined that the facility will have significant impacts unless mitigation measures are implemented.

We Energies is working to get final approval to build the $255 million biomass power plant in Rothschild. Company officials say the facility would generate power for 40,000 homes, as well as provide steam to Domtar Corp.'s paper mill. The plant will also utilize waste wood including logging remains and waste from sawmills.

Last month, about 275 residents turned out at a meeting to protest the project, saying they are concerned about air quality, noise issues and increased traffic.

Meanwhile, the Department of Natural Resources is conducting a separate analysis of facility's impact on the local environment.

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