Pinnacle Obtains Council Nod for Williams Lake Plant Expansion

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The proposed request by Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. to upgrade and expand production at its Williams Lake plant received council nod. The $30 million expansion request received unanimous approval of council members during the regular Council meeting held Tuesday. The issuance of the final permit will be subject to approval of Pinnacle’s amended air quality permit by the Ministry of Environment and its storm drainage design by the City authorities.

The permit was granted amidst opposition by several members of the public during the open session held prior to voting. Opponents demanded that the plant may be moved from its current location to a more industrial location. They alleged that the community is frustrated with the noise from the pellet plant 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents also expressed deep concerns with regards to air quality.

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Meantime, Ron Myhre, General Manager, Pinnacle noted that the expansion will upgrade the facilities of the plant to handle wide variety of fibre including fibre from burned trees, slash piles that would normally be burned. The company is investing even at a time when there is a downturn, he noted. The upgrades will secure the plant from fires, reduce emissions and make it more visually appealing, Myhre added.

The Council appreciated the public comments and said that it has identified more than a dozen conditions, including noise reduction, paving, landscaping etc., which the company will require to satisfy in order to obtain the final permit.