Biomass proposal draws protesters, wins DeKalb support

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/biomass-proposal-draws-protesters-976960.html

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

More than 100 people showed up to Tuesday’s DeKalb County Commission meeting, trying to kill a proposed biomass gasification plant near Lithonia over their fears of the emissions.

In the end, though, commissioners unanimously approved the $60 million Green Energy Partners plant. They didn’t agree that the plant is a threat to public health – and they want the investment in DeKalb.

“This technology is a much better process than the use of coal,” said Commissioner Lee May, who pushed for the facility. “If it is not doing what it's saying it’s going to do, it can be stopped, cited and ordered to cease operations.”

Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Environment have threatened to recall May from office for his support.

They object to the facility that plans to turn wood chips into energy to sell to Georgia Power mainly because of possible carcinogenic emissions. The city of Lithonia rejected an earlier proposal to put the plant in its borders because of those concerns.

“The facts are, the toxins that will be spewed into our environment will be killing people and making them sick,” said Dr. Darren Harper, a physician in the area who argued against the plant.

Supporters, decked out in green to showcase their unity, don’t worry about the conversion process. They are more focused on the need for development in DeKalb.

“There is no better way for us to survive than with jobs,” said Courtney Miller, a pharmaceutical importer-exporter from Stone Mountain. “It is a healthy project in many ways.”

Construction on the nearly 80,000-square-foot plant has yet to begin. Under conditions imposed by commissioners Tuesday, the developer must get an air quality permit from the state and approval from the state fire marshal before it can open.

May also added a requirement that a citizens’ advisory committee be set up to oversee operations, in a bid to help ease concerns.

A consultant for the developer pledged that the plant would run safely and economically for all residents.

“I cannot support something I know is harmful to the county and to my kids,” said Patrick Ejike, a former planning director for the county who represented the developer. "This is a safe project, a good project for the county.”