NEWS BLOG (WSAU) Neighbors are lining up against a proposed biomass energy plant in Rothschild. They will face an uphill fight to get the project blocked. This is the kind of green energy plant that the state has been pushing. Unless there are real environmental concerns, the project is likely to be approved by state regulators. Neighbors would then have to fight in court to get the PSC’s ruling overturned. That’s expensive litigation with no guarantee of success.

I’m generally opposed to zoning changes near residential neighborhoods. When someone buys a house they should know what the rules are for what can and can’t be built nearby. But I’m not sure my zoning argument applies here. The biomass plant would be built on land that’s already being used for industrial purposes.

Neighbors have also suggested that the energy that would be generated by the biomass plant isn’t needed right now… that Wisconsin doesn’t have any immediate energy shortages. That’s true, but that’s not a long-term position. Any growing economy will have increasing energy demands; waiting or delaying isn’t viable.

Legitimate grounds for stopping the project would be environmental. If neighbors have concerns about environmental damage or impacts, they should bring them forward now. Those are probably the only winning cards they have to play.

Chris Conley
Operations Manager-Midwest Communications, Wausau
5.3.10