A CABIN CREEK BIOMASS FACILITY proposed for Placer County at the site of the Eastern Regional Landfill between Truckee and Squaw Valley on State Route 89 was on the Sierra County Board of Supervisors' agenda August 21st in Loyalton. Planning Director Tim Beals addressed the question of competition and the impact of future operations of the Sierra Pacific Industries' biomass plant in Loyalton. He suggested engaging in formal dialogue as part of the CEQA process and the need to file comments in a timely manner. He stated the Cabin Creek facility clearly intended to go forward and was clearly in competition with fuels this plant could rely on. Supervisor Lee Adams was disappointed and questioned why Placer County wants to do this and didn't want to spend taxpayer's money opposing it. He suggested a letter to Placer County to question why build from scratch and force a facility 40 miles away to be moth balled or torn down. He stated there needs to be a group to go over the document and see if it's accurate and sets competition, suggesting the County would want to weigh in. County Counsel called it "picking the document apart"........."substantial meat to it." He talked of a "fair amount of effort." Supervisor Scott Schlefstein suggested cooperating. From the audience, Loyalton Mayor Brooks Mitchell urged to Board to take a strong position. From an economic position, he called it "almost a deal breaker." He asked the Board to stand up for economic conditions. He said the City was willing to be involved. Supervisor Bill Nunes felt a need to know information from owners, Sierra Pacific Industries. Chairman Peter Huebner directed Beals, "If you have the time," to set a meeting with an ad hoc committee of himself and Supervisor Schlefstein. The meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 29th was to include SPI, Plumas Rural Services, the Forest Service, City, Assessor, Beals and Jim Curtis. Nunes questioned Peter if hauling to Loyalton was to begin September 1st. Supervisor Goicoechea answered, "Not September 1st," but added the Loyalton plant is taking fuel stock.

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