SCOTIA POWER PLANT SET TO CLOSE NOV. 1

On Nov. 1 the Eel River Biomass Plant will power down. The Sacramento energy company, Greenleaf Power, bought the plant back in 2010 and currently employs 32 people in the town of Scotia.

 
“The power plant is a co-generation recycling power plant,” said Frank Bacik, Director for Legal Affairs. “It burns wood waste to heat boilers, to create steam that turns turbines, that produces electricity.”
 
Not only do residents get local power, but also a place to recycle their green waste and save the hassle of obtaining a burn permit.
 
But due to not being able to reach a long-term sales agreement and secure a stable supply of wood fiber, the plant will close.
 
Dennis Sousa drives to Scotia from Hydesville to recycle his tree clippings.  
 
“Once this closes I’ll be forced to get permits and burn what I have, that I normally take here, on my property and shop in Fortuna like I normally do," Sousa said.
 
For the 32 employees, Greenleaf power is looking to keep a couple people as a skeleton crew. However, no severance package will be given to the remaining employees. 
 
Power in residences and commercial buildings will not be effected.
 
“We have in place an automatic mechanism which will transfer to connect with PG&E grids," Bacik said.
 
Greenleaf is hoping to reopen the plant in 2013. A representative for Greenleaf says if it happens, they will hire the current employees back.