C&D Burning OK’d in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has ruled that a wood-burning power plant in Hopkinton, N.H., can burn construction and demolition debris, according to a report in the Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.).

The ruling is the result of a two-year battle in which town officials attempted to stop BioEnergy from burning C&D material.

According to the report, the company had used clean wood debris to burn as fuel for 20 years. Two years ago, state environmental officials issued a permit for the plant to burn up to 100 percent of C&D debris that came from painted wood and plywood. A group of Hopkinton residents then filed a petition with the town requesting it to prevent BioEnergy from using the material. Town selectmen issued a cease-and-desist order and asked for the company to apply for a new permit.

The Supreme Court ruling decided that town officials could not regulate air emissions, according to the report. The court also says that plant owners could try to recoup legal costs incurred during the two-year battle.

However, a statewide moratorium on burning wood from C&D debris is in effect until July 1, while a committee studies the effects of burning such material, according to the report.