PORT ANGELES — City Hall wants to hire Clallam County’s hearing examiner to receive testimony in the appeal of Nippon Paper Industries USA’s proposed biomass energy project.
The three county commissioners will consider the city of Port Angeles’ request at their Tuesday meeting, held at 10 a.m. in Room 160 of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.
Seven environmental groups are appealing the environmental impact statement for Nippon’s $71 million biomass boiler project, which would burn wood waste from logging sites and sawmills to produce steam and electricity, and one of two permits the city’s Planning Commission granted the company to build the boiler.
City Attorney Bill Bloor said Hearing Examiner Chris Melly has the experience needed to handle the subject.
If the commissioners grant the request, Melly will hear testimony from Nippon and representatives of appellants on the environmental study.
Melly would then provide the City Council with his proposed conclusions regarding the testimony and laws that pertain to the subject.
The seven council members would decide whether the environmental study was flawed as the appellants claim.
Melly’s time would cost the city $66.78 per hour, said County Administrator Jim Jones.
He said the city would also have to reimburse the county for the time Melly’s clerk spends on the hearing, which amounts to $31.98 per hour.
Jones said the hourly rates cover their pay and the cost of all benefits and taxes associated with their work.
The council also will decide whether the shoreline development permit granted to Nippon is valid.
A public hearing was held last month on that permit, and no further testimony will be taken, said City Planning Manager Sue Roberds.
Testimony must be taken on the environmental study because a public hearing has not been held on it, she said, though the city did accept written comments.
Only Nippon and the appellants will be allowed to provide testimony, Roberds said.
Hearing dates have not yet been scheduled.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
