President Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance will be here on April 29th to discuss opportunities for small business start up, new green jobs and an expanded local tax base.  Seldman is coming at the invitation of the Concerned Citizens of Gadsden County, Inc.  The evening meeting (6 to 8 p.m.) will take place at the Multipurpose Center of the New Bethel AME Church located at 23209 Blue Star Hwy across from the hospital in Quincy, Florida.

Seldman is a national and international expert in resource management, working with citizen groups and small business groups interested in expanding recycling and composting as an alternative to incineration and landfilling of garbage.  The Concerned Citizens of Gadsden County believe that that the information promoted by ILSR furthers our mission “to promote sustainable, self-reliant economic development for Gadsden County, Florida, that preserves residents’ quality of life, environment, and natural resources; and to oppose economic development that is contrary to these principles.”
The Institute for Local Self Reliance, based in Washington, DC, is a 35-year-old non-profit research and technical assistance organization focusing on the use of energy, agriculture, waste and retail policies that support sustainable local economic development.  Details of ILSR’s work may be found at http://www.ilsr.org on the Internet.
Neil Seldman works on enterprise start up, financing and joint ventures between industry, community development groups and government agencies.  He has worked for many cities and counties including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Grand Forks, ND, Austin, TX, King County, WA, Hawaii County, HI, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; as well as numerous community development organizations and federal agencies.  Most recently he has been working in Florida for the counties of St. Lucie and Alachua.
In Alachua County, Mr. Seldman is assisting with the development of a 40-acre Resource Recovery Park for recycling and composting.  The project will create an estimated 200 direct jobs and help Alachua County meet a 75% diversion goal being considered by the Florida DEP and the Florida State Legislature.

All interested persons are encouraged to attend a Seldman workshop.  All meeting are free and open to the public.  For additional information please contact Concerned Citizens of Gadsden County, Inc. at biomess.net or 850-583-1017.

March 19, 2010

Via Electronic Mail and U.S. Mail

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Air Regulation, Division of Air Resource Management
2600 Blair Stone Road, M.S. 5500
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Attention: Mr. Alvaro Linero, Director of Special Projects
(alvaro.linero@dep.state.fl.us)

RE:  Application for ADAGE Gadsden LLC – Air Construction Permit Proposed
Nominal 55.5 MW Net Woody Biomass Electric Power Plant Gadsden
County, Florida, Project No. 0390046-001-AC

Dear Mr. Linero:

ADAGE Gadsden LLC (ADAGE) submitted an application (the Application) for
an air construction permit to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau
of Air Regulation, Division of Air Resource Management (Bureau) dated January 27,
2010 for the construction of a proposed nominal 55.5 MW Net Woody Biomass Electric
Power Plant to be located in the City of Gretna, Gadsden County, Florida.  ADAGE
hereby withdraws the Application and requests that the Bureau cease any further
consideration of, or activity upon, the Application.

Thank you for your assistance and understanding in this matter.  If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours,
ADAGE Gadsden LLC

F. Reed Wills
President

cc: Ms. Trina Vielhauer, Chief – Bureau of Air Regulation
(trina.vielhauer@dep.state.fl .us)
Mr. David Read, Engineering Specialist II (david.read@dep.state.fl.us)

Termination of Consideration of Adage Biomass Project

Gretna, Florida — Mayor Anthony Baker of the City of Gretna announced today that in light of Adage, LLC’s decision to suspend activity on its proposed Bioenergy facility slated for construction in Gretna (as well as suspension of its application for an air permit through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection) that the City now considers this matter closed and will take no further action on Adage’s request to locate this facility in Gretna.

Inasmuch as the Bioenergy Plant could neither legally operate nor be sited in Gretna without an air permit, the City concluded that this was no longer a viable project and Adage’s decision to suspend activity on its air permit indicated that further consideration of the project by the City was unwarranted. Since there were no issues pending before the City of Gretna requiring action by its Commission relative to the Plant, the Mayor deemed termination of the project as final disposition of this matter as far as the City is concerned.

Download the press release.

Press Contacts:

Tom DePonty

Tel: (301) 841-2468

tom.deponty@areva.com

Jarret Adams

jarret.adams@areva.com

Tel: (301) 841-1695

ADAGE Will Suspend Work on Biopower Project in Gadsden County

March 15, 2010; Gretna, FL – ADAGE LLC, a biopower joint venture owned by affiliates of Duke Energy and AREVA, said in a statement today that it will suspend work on the proposed biopower project in Gadsden County.  ADAGE had proposed to construct a 55 megawatt advanced biopower facility in Gretna, Florida, utilizing sustainable clean woody biomass.

“The vibrant forest resources in Northern Florida attracted ADAGE to the area and the State of Florida confirmed our decision in the recent Woody Biomass Economic Study released on March 1, 2010.  We believe that Gadsden County represents a good market for development of sustainable woody biomass projects, however in light of the decision today by the City of Gretna to delay consideration of the project, ADAGE will suspend work on the Gadsden County project and focus on continuing to develop a fleet of clean, safe, reliable biopower projects throughout the U.S.”

“ADAGE respects the decision of the City of Gretna to continue to study the project and we recognize that work still needs to be done in the local community to fully implement the master plan for economic development.  However, ADAGE firmly believes that further study will reinforce that the project would represent a safe, sustainable renewable energy solution that meets all local, State and National standards while delivering new jobs and economic opportunity.”

“ADAGE will ask the Florida Department of Environmental Quality to suspend activity on the Air Resource Permit Application for the Gadsden County project.  ADAGE continues to actively develop its project in Hamilton County, Florida which has already received full approval at the State and local level.”

City Defers Consideration of the Adage Biomass Project
(Download the press release)

Gretna, Florida — Mayor Anthony Baker of the City of Gretna has decided to defer any decision on the Adage Biomass Project for a period of six months to enable the City to study this matter in greater detail.

Since the December 9, 2010 announcement of Gretna, Florida as the site for construction of Adage, LLC’s second Bioenergy Plant in the State of Florida, the City Commission and City staff have been consulting with industry experts, federal and state regulators and legislators, economic and health experts concerning the viability and sustainability of biomass as a means of producing electricity in Florida.

Since the project’s inception, the City Commission and City staff have spent innumerable hours: (1) listening to citizens and elected leaders within Gadsden County; (2) reviewing state and federal renewable energy policy along with proposed legislation; (3) considering the operational performance of other biomass facilities within the United States and overseas; and (4) speaking with interested stakeholders concerning the sustainability of biomass and the need to implement Green Energy Solutions to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Based on City staff research the Mayor agrees that the economic benefit to the community is great, however he feels the City should go no further with this project until the citizens of Gretna are provided reasonable assurances that the proposed Adage project will not jeopardize the health and safety of the residents of the community.

During the next six months the City intends to engage in the following activities to educate itself and its residents on the advantages and disadvantages of the Bioenergy Plant: (1) review, through independent analysis, the findings of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection relating to Adage’s environmental permits; (2) review any public policy changes pertaining to biomass/renewable energy which may or may not be enacted during the current session of the Florida Legislature; (3) study and review (both nationally and internationally) comparable biomass technology projects (including on-site visits); and (4) collaborate with and engage neutral third-party healthcare professionals to independently assess the potential health impacts of the Adage technology on Gadsden County, Florida.

The City has been very disappointed by a small number of individuals, both from outside our community and within, who have made attempts to distort its efforts to create sustainable economic opportunities for the residents of Gretna and Gadsden County; persons who have never in the past demonstrated any particular interest in the welfare of our residents. The City’s commitment and determination to increase our nation’s ability to produce energy within its borders remains strong, despite the misconceptions that have been fostered by the unfortunate few.

During this process the City was gratified to learn that there are citizens in Gadsden County, and medical doctors in the Leon/Gadsden County area who are really concerned about the health and safety of our community. Regardless of the future of the Adage Project, Gretna looks forward to engaging those individuals who have been so concerned about the existing health issues in Gadsden County to translate their concerns into action by assisting our local healthcare professionals in the delivery of healthcare services in places like the City of Gretna Health Clinic. The City of Gretna will continue to be a leader in the economic development of Gadsden County as a whole and remains committed to working with all willing partners to make Gretna and Gadsden County the best place in Florida to live, work, play and stay.

The truth: Adage will increase total source pollution by an average of 65% and truck traffic with mobile pollution (largely diesel exhaust) by 20-50% (NOT 2%). See below!

Adage claim: Gadsden County has 54,000 tpy of air pollution. The new plant would add only 904 tpy pollution, or a 2% increase. Adage is comparing its SOURCE pollution to Gadsden County TOTAL (ambient + mobile + source) pollution. Adage is failing to mention its added mobile pollution (300 diesel truck trips) to its estimate.

Here are the real comparisons:

POLLUTION COMPARISONS

TOTAL EXISTING SOURCE POLLUTION PLUS ADAGE…total effect
(Left source: EPA; right: Adage email)

Carbon Monoxide – 527 tpy total          Adage 248 (48% increase)
COASTAL LUMBER CO 430
FLORIDA GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY 91
MACTAVISH FURNITURE INDUSTRIES 6

Nox – 573 tpy total Adage 241 (44% increase)
FLORIDA GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY 416
FLORIDA DEPT. OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 50
COASTAL LUMBER CO 40
ENGELHARD CORPORATION 17

PM 2.5 – 107 tpy total Adage 98 (92% increase)
COASTAL LUMBER CO 97
ENGELHARD CORPORATION 5
MACTAVISH FURNITURE INDUSTRIES 3
FLORIDA DEPT. OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 2

PM 10 – 171 tpy total Adage 106 (62% increase)
COASTAL LUMBER CO 153
ENGELHARD CORPORATION 8
FLORIDA DEPT. OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 6
MACTAVISH FURNITURE INDUSTRIES 4

Sulfur Dioxide – 149 total Adage 150 (100% increase)
FLORIDA DEPT. OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 132
C. W. ROBERTS CONTRACTING INC. 13
COASTAL LUMBER CO 3
FLORIDA GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY 1

VOC – 158 total Adage 58 (37% increase)
MACTAVISH FURNITURE INDUSTRIES 51
COASTAL LUMBER CO 50
FLORIDA GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY 29
THE PRINTING HOUSE 28

MOBILE POLLUTION

Adage claim: it adds only 150 trucks/day to 90, which has 10,000 vehicles/day. The comparison should be current TRUCK traffic to Adage’s increased TRUCK traffic:

DAILY TRUCK TRAFFIC (source: FL DOT 2008 RECORDS)

I-10 to Rte 90 on Rte. 12: 577
90 West of Quincy: 619
90 Downtown Quincy:1550
Attapulgus Hwy Quincy to S. GA: 226

The traffic stations count passing vehicles, or 150 trucks in and 150 trucks out = 300 trips.

Adage will increase truck traffic 20-50%, diesel Is the most hazardous air pollution.

Of total Gadsden County air pollution per year, 80% is from mobile sources, so how many tpy will Adage trucks add? Estimate 35% X 54,000 = 18,900 TPY added!

THE TRUE TOTAL POLLUTION INCREASE DUE TO THE ADAGE BIOMESS PLANT (SOURCE) AND ITS TRUCKS (MOBILE) WOULD BE Source: 65% and Mobile: 20-50% (NOT 2%!)

This evening I was on a panel at a public meeting about the proposed Biomasss Incinerator where I was heckled by individuals who accused me of providing misinformation to the public about the massive subsidies that will be paid for by the US taxpayer to plant and harvest trees to be burned in incinerators to create energy.

I stated that the taxpayer would fund up to 75% of the cost to plant trees and 75% of the cost to cut the trees down. The information is undeniable and accurate. You can read all about the USDA Crop assistance program here and decide for yourself who was providing accurate information.

“As the Chief Operating Officer for the American Lung Association in Florida, I would like to clarify a statement made in Frank Holcomb’s recent editorial on the proposed biomass plant in Gadsden County. In his piece, he mentioned a position by the Clean Air Choice group within the American Lung Association that could be viewed as an endorsement of biomass energy. The information Mr. Holcomb cited was pulled from a website in Illinois and is not the position of the American Lung Association in Florida on the subject.

The American Lung Association has significant concerns regarding the proposed biomass plant and the potential effects it could pose for at-risk groups like those suffering from emphysema, asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Burning wood, or burning any substance, releases toxic chemicals and particles into the air which affect both the environment and respiratory health.

Additionally, diesel equipment critical to plant operation, like the trucks delivering wood, will add significant pollution on the roads and throughout nearby communities. A constant supply of fuel is needed requiring these trucks to make multiple, daily trips to and from the plant. The age of these vehicles and idling practices will also have a significant impact on the level of pollution emitted, and increase the potential damage to air quality and the health of Gadsden County citizens.

Furthermore, we have noticed a pattern nationwide of biomass plants being proposed for rural areas away from cities; where less protective pollution control restrictions and weaker permitting requirements apply. Plant proponents will say that they “meet the air pollution requirements” but the requirements themselves tend to be more lax.

Our organization is dedicated to healthy air and healthy lungs for all Floridians. I encourage the leaders of Gadsden County to consider the potential negative health effects on an already medically vulnerable and underserved community”

Brenda Olsen, RN
Chief Operating Officer
American Lung Association of the Southeast, Inc.
Serving Florida, Georgia and South Carolina
539 Silver Slipper Lane, Ste A
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 241-1002 Direct Line
(850) 443-3017 Cell
www.LungFla.org

Dr. Edward Holifield of Tallahassee, FL poses the question to the Gadsden County Commission during a presentation on the Biomass BioMess proposed for Gretna, Florida by the Concerned Citizens of Gadsden County, Inc. The latest black infant mortality statistics in Gadsden County are 15.6 per 1,000 live births – that’s more than twice the state average. Dr. Holifield presents a study by Kenneth Chay and Michael Greenstone linking air pollution to infant mortality.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RntFPvu1czs]

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