With opposition groups becoming increasingly vocal about the proposed Wiregrass biomass plant in Valdosta, The Times has been trying to find answers to what we consider to be reasonable questions.

With millions in local, state and federal incentives being paid to support the plant, and with so much time and money invested by the Industrial Authority, the Authority is compelled to educate the public and keep all transactions open and above board.

The issues that The Times was most interested in are questions which have arisen since the plant was first discussed several years ago. Thinking that this would be the Authority’s opportunity to provide a solid defense of the project and to dispel the rumors about the plant, The Times submitted an Open Records request.

First, The Times asked who the individual investors are. Rumors abound that a group of local individuals in positions of power and influence stand to profit from the plant personally. The Authority stated that Sterling Planet’s staff are listed on their website, and they are aware of other local investors, but do not name them.

The Times asked about any environmental studies that supported the biomass plant. None were given. The Times asked who was supplying the biomass forest fuel, and were told no contracts are in place. The Times asked who was buying the electricity, and were told no contracts have been negotiated yet.

The Times requested information about other plants that are currently using the technology that will allow wastewater to be turned into electricity, as the editorial board was previously told that it was not yet developed. The Authority gave no examples, providing only descriptions of equipment from Wikipedia.

Until such time as citizens of this community who are paying for all of the incentives being provided to this company are told the whole truth about who is behind it, who is profiting from it, if the environmental concerns are valid, and if the technology being discussed even exists and has been proven to work in another facility, it’s difficult to endorse this supposed green energy initiative.

As a matter of fact, it’s difficult to describe anything about this plant as being green, other than the millions of tax dollars that are being expended to support it.