This message is an alert!!!!
As you know, the MID is in the process of building a biomass energy plan here in Modesto. The operating firm is Valley Bio-Energy (VBE). VBE has published TWO documents that purport to be a study of emissions required to satisfy an EIR. One of the documents was provided to MID and the public. The other document was provided to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJAPCD). Both documents contained a set of calculations for emissions of NOX.
However, the first document’s projections of polluting emissions were below the allowed level, but the second document showed FAR HIGHER and OUT OF COMPLIANCE EMISSIONS. To be brief, the proponents of the biomass burning project have been dishonest with the people.
They are telling US that the plant will be clean. They are telling the AIR BOARD it will be dirty, and wanted to make a deal allowing them to burn dirty anyway!! Their proposed biomass burning plant would take orchard pruning from all over the Valley and burn it in one place, concentrating huge volumes of pollutants right in the middle of Modesto.
The resulting ozone and its precursors would affect the health of all of us, and our properties. We can not allow this to happen.
As a result of this duplicity, I think we must ask the MID to reject the Initial Study, and require a full EIR, and we must do it TODAY!! The 30 day public comment period ends at close of business TODAY.
Please send Allen Short ( allens@mid.org ) your demand that a full, honest, and ethical EIR be required of VBE.
I can send you details via e-mail, or call me and I'll fill you in on the details.
Dave
