BREAKING NEWS

BG&E pulls controversial biomass plant project

1/23/08

The Biomass Gas & Electric company has decided not to build a controversial biomass energy plant in Tallahassee.  At least not for now.

In a letter sent to Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, City Manager Anita Favors-Thompson and members of the City Commission, BG&E president and CEO, S. Glenn Farris made specific reference to opposition by local businessman Erwin Jackson and Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor.  Though the letter stopped short of saying they specifically were the cause of the pullout.  It did blame them for much of the public opposition to the plant.

“Specifically, your community needs to know that the disgraceful pretense of leadership demonstrated by Bill Proctor is nothing more than old-fashioned demagoguery, fear mongering, and race baiting,” the letter said. 

It went on to say that Proctor and Jackson waged an, “intentionally divisive smear campaign, intended to kill the truth and the best interests of the community.”

Though Proctor didn’t objected to the plant itself, he did object to the Roberts Avenue location of the plant on Tallahassee’s south side saying he was concerned with the possible health effects that emissions from the plant could have on residents.

“Mr. Proctor’s mouth represent some of the worst pollution your community breathes on a daily basis,” the letter said.

The letter said that several other communities had expressed interest in the project and it will likely be located in one of them.

But the letter did seem to leave the door open to revisit the issue, “Personally, I look forward to continuing to cooperate with any appropriate review of the process by which we sought to bring this project to Tallahassee and to remaining a friend to the people of your community.”

Watch this space for further updates and reactions.

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