Springfield City Council to appeal against biomass plant permits - report

Dec 8, 2011 - The Springfield City Council yesterday voted to submit an appeal against two building permits awarded to Palmer Renewable Energy for a biomass plant worth USD 150 million (EUR 112m), reported Peter Goonan of The Republican online on MassLive.com.

The company was granted the permits, paving the way for the first phase of the construction of the wood-burning facility in East Springfield, last month by Code Enforcement Commissioner Steven Desilets. Councillors supporting the appeal say Desilets has exceeded his authority in awarding the permit.

Meanwhile, State Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell decided on Tuesday that a state permit for the project should be subjected to a further review, according to the report. The decision was in response to an appeal by three opposition groups as well as citizens.

Critics of the plant maintain that it will add to pollution, while supporters say it complies with all requirements for air quality, the report said.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.746)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!