December 2, 2010Contacts:
Rachael Paschal Osborn (CELP) – 509-954-5641
Diana Somerville – 360-452-1212
Darlene Schanfald (Olympic Environmental Council) – 360-681-7565
Port Angeles sets hearing for challenge to proposed Biomass Incinerator
Protecting Elwha River flows, human and environmental health prompt conservationists to challenge City decision
LINK: Conservationists’ Opening Legal Brief
WHO: A coalition of seven conservation groups — the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club, No Biomass Burn, Port Townsend Air Watchers, the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, the World Temperate Rainforest Network, the Olympic Forest Coalition, the Olympic Environmental Council
WHAT: The conservation groups are challenging a decision by the City of Port Angeles to permit Nippon Paper Company to build a biomass (co-generation) incinerator at its plant on the shoreline of the Port Angeles harbor, just north of Olympic National Park.
WHEN: Monday, December 6 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: City Council Chambers, 321 East 5th Street, Port Angeles, Wash. 98362
WHY: The coalition members appealed the City’s permit decision because they have multiple concerns about the impacts of the proposed project, including:
Drawing millions of gallons of water every day from the Elwha River that flows from Olympia National Park. The nation’s largest dam removal project is about to begin to restore salmon runs. The permit for the Nippon plant would divert water from the Elwha River, endangering salmon runs and undoing the purpose of the dam removal.
Threatening the sustainability of forest ecosystems.
Increasing air and water pollution that will impact people, wildlife, and aquatic life in fresh and salt waters.
Negatively impacting public access to and enjoyment of the shoreline and popular Waterfront Trail.
Adding more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the proposed plant and associated truck traffic.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Biomass Cogeneration, Clallam County |
