Petition Could Derail Wood Burning Power Plant’s Plans

A petition signed by 45 Athens, Mass., residents has been submitted to the town clerk, which could stall the approval process when Needham, Mass.-based GenPower LLC submits an application to burn demolition debris at its proposed power plant, according to a report in the Morning Sentinel (Augusta, Maine).

The petition against the burning of demolition debris, tires or garbage could force a referendum vote on the issue, according to the report.

The Morning Sentinel reports that GenPower wants to build a $75 to $80 million plant at the same site where a Boralex wood-burning power plant was forced to close three years ago.

A company spokesman tells the Morning Sentinel that the plant will burn no more than half demolition debris—the rest of the fuel will be composed of clean wood chips.