Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits of building a biomass plant?

A: The plant will reduce Georgia’s reliance on out-of-state and foreign imports of energy and provide needed electric capacity without building an additional coal plant. In addition, the plant will provide more than 20 high quality jobs to Barnesville/Lamar County and create more than 100 additional positions in the surrounding area for fuel handling and transportation.

Q: As a neighbor of Piedmont Green Power, will I see the plant?

A: The plant will be obscured by trees along MLK Jr. Bypass, although from certain points along the road the plant or the stack may be visible.

Q: Will I see smoke or steam from the plant?

A: There will be no noticeable smoke or steam emitted by the plant except on very cold days when condensation may form above the cooling towers.

Q: Will the plant make noise?

A: The plant itself will not emit noise noticeable from beyond the property line. The principal potential source of noise will be the back-up alarm of the fuel yard tractors. Some diesel engine noise may be discernable from time to time.

Q: As a neighbor of Piedmont Green Power, will I smell the plant?

A: No. The plant emits no odors. The plant will burn wood cleanly and all emissions will comply with state and federal air quality standards.

Q: What pollutants will the plant emit?

A: The two main pollutants are carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which are controlled to the highest standards of the EPA.

Q: Will the fuel yard emit dust?

A: During dry periods, the yard equipment may kick up dust when moving wood around. In no case will a significant amount of dust travel beyond the property lines.

Q: How big is the plant?

A: The plant itself will sit on about 2 acres. The building will be 90 feet high and cover an area of about 60,000 square feet. The fuel yard will cover approximately 10 acres. The site is approximately 50 acres so that adequate buffers can be maintained.