A power generation plant that would run on organic waste material has almost all of the permits required before construction at Brunswick Landing can begin, according to state officials.
A solid waste management license from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, as well as two operational permits from the federal government and utilities regulators, are all that remain between Village Green Ventures LLC and construction of its proposed anaerobic digester.
If approved, the plant will use bacteria to break down septic and organic waste, then use methane and other gases produced by the process to drive equipment that generates electricity.
Dave Weyburn is the founder of Village Green Ventures LLC, the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based eco-oriented company that is building the waste-to-energy station.
Weyburn said he expects the plant to produce about 1 megawatt of electricity and, eventually, about 1 megawatt of heat energy — all of which likely will be consumed by tenants at the former naval air station.
Wright-Pierce Engineering in Topsham designed the physical plant while Cleveland, Ohio- based Quasar Energy Group devised the systems layout.
While the plant will not carry a large roster of employees or contribute loads of payroll taxes to the economy, its benefit likely be felt in other ways, Weyburn said.
Among the ripple effects of having an electricity plant — albeit a modestly powerful one — in Brunswick Landing’s own backyard: a reduction of energy creation and distribution fees; and an alternative disposal site for food and organic waste.
Additionally, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the agency redeveloping the former naval air station, will be able to claim bragging rights as a tangible example of the “ green” economic model, which could help it attract other tenants.
MRRA also is looking for eways to defray electrical costs at the base for tenants, and for itself as a landlord of several large, vacant buildings that must be powered to remain marketable.
Brunswick’s Planning Board lent its approval to the project’s site plan in May.
The Maine DEP approved a land management license in August. Building permits were obtained from the town in October.
Weyburn said he expects to have the operational permits in hand by late winter or early spring, with construction expected to start as soon afterward as possible.
Carla Hopkins, a supervisor with the DEP, said the agency is waiting for “a few more pieces of information” before it can recommend approval of the solid waste management license.
Primarily, the state wants assurance that Weyburn’s company can meet the estimated cost of the project’s solid waste management and disposal.
“It’s a very common thing to have happen,” Hopkins said. “We’re ready to make a recommendation ( to DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho) to approve the license as soon as the last bit of information is received, hopefully within the next month or so.”
Once the final licenses are issued, Weyburn and Village Green Ventures will have four years to start the project, or seven to complete it, before they expire.
jtleonard@timesrecord.com
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