PORT ANGELES — A coalition of seven environmental groups filed an appeal today against Nippon’s proposed energy-producing biomass project.
The appeal filed with the city of Port Angeles challenges the environmental impact statement approved by the city and the shoreline management permit granted to Nippon Paper Industries USA by the city Planning Commission on Sept. 22.
The City Council will hear the appeal this month, but a date has not been set, said City Manager Kent Myers.
Nippon wants to build a new boiler to produce steam needed for the paper-making process and produce 20 megawatts of electricity that it would sell.
The boiler would be powered by burning wood waste, known as biomass, from saw mills and logging sites. Its current 1950s-era boiler also burns biomass but only produces steam.
The groups challenge the validity of an environmental impact statement, saying it doesn’t require Nippon to meter how much water it uses for the project from the Elwha River, and that it inadequately addresses air pollutants.
They also contend that the shoreline management permit should have listed Nippon’s proposal as an electric utility. That designation would require a review by the state Department of Ecology, said city Planning Manager Sue Roberds.
The groups consist of three from the North Olympic Peninsula: Port Townsend Air Watchers, the Olympic Forest Coalition and the Olympic Environmental Council. The others are No Biomass Burn of Seattle, the Center for Environmental Law and Policy of Spokane, the World Temperate Rainforest Network and the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
