Rendering of the proposed Fair Haven Energy Center to be located along U.S. Route 4 in Fair Haven. The view is from the Vermont Welcome Center near the stateline. Image courtesy of Beaver Wood Energy, LLC
Fair Haven, Vt. — The Fair Haven Energy Center biomass project in Fair Haven received a green light to proceed toward construction last week.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation approved the proposed plant’s air pollution control permit last week which means developer Thomas Emero can move ahead.
Emero owns Beaver Wood Energy, LCC, the firm building the commercial facility that will provide electricity, heat, steam, and 230 local jobs.
Emero’s proposed 29-megawatt biomass plant, and adjacent wood pellet production operation, will be built on a site located off U.S Route 4 Exit 1 in Fair Haven.
Since Vermont is not a state known for issuing environmental permits easily, the Beaver Wood project’s first permit hurdle was considered a significant milestone.
According to Emero, the permit is the first such granted in two decades in Vermont. He credited the issuance as a sign he has met and exceeded the state’s strict environmental quality standards.
According to Emero’s website, Beaver Wood’s design minimizes emissions, maximizes efficiency, and gives Vermont a new model for a combined energy, heat and food facility.
Emero has said the facility will create needed jobs in Rutland County, “revitalize the working forest economy” and add millions of dollars into the county every year through taxes, wages and other activities.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID