Public Meeting Dec. 18 on Proposed Gasification Plant in Lithonia

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will hold a public meeting and hearing Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Lou Walker Senior Center about a draft permit it has prepared for a proposed -- and greatly-opposed -- biomass gasification plant in unincorporated Lithonia.

Here is the Georgia EPD's notice about the event:

During the public meeting, representatives from EPD will be available to discuss Green Energy Resource Center’s application to construct and operate a biomass fired boiler for the production of electrical energy for sale. Immediately following the public meeting, a hearing will be held to receive formal comments on Green Energy Resource Center’s application. At the public hearing, anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument either orally or in writing.

EPD has provided an unofficial draft permit and technical narrative online at
http://www.georgiaair.org/airpermit/html/meetings/index.htm.

City of Lithonia mayor Deborah Jackson, in an e-mail to citizens, wrote: "We need a massive presence at the meeting to demonstrate our opposition to and concern about this project."

Green Energy Partners' (GEP) proposed 11.5 megawatt electric generating facility would be located at 1770 Roger Lake Road in unincorporated Lithonia. The city of Lithonia rejected having the plant within the city limits about two years ago.

Mayor Jackson also wrote:

"Even though GEP is claiming it will only use “yard waste” for the fuel source, it is still a health and environmental problem.  Communities around the world are fighting against this type of project.  Gasification is really a form of incineration without the flame."

"The health of our community is at stake and is not worth the few jobs that will be created" Jackson wrote.

The Lou Walker Senior Center is located at 2538 Panola Rd. in Lithonia.