State Official Backs Proposed Wood Burning Plant in Connecticut

An official from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved a proposal for a wood-burning power plant in Plainfield, Conn., according to a report in the Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.).

Hearing officer Kenneth M. Collette of the DEP decided that the facility should be able to operate without violating any of the state’s pollution standards.

The plant, proposed by Norwalk-based Plainfield Renewable Energy LLC, would produce electricity by heating scrap wood, including wood from the construction and demolition debris stream, as well as chipped trees, brush, pallets and other packing materials. The construction materials would have to be sorted to remove plastics, wallboard, asphalt shingles or pesticides.

According to the report, Collette’s decision backs up recommendation DEP staff made last spring to grant the necessary permits the facility needed.

A final decision will be issued by the DEP commissioner.