Virginia nixes 237 million gallon ethanol plant; water, traffic, emissions too much for Chesapeake residents

In Virginia, the Chesapeake City Council voted 7-2 to turn down a proposal for a 237 Mgy ethanol plant proposed by International Bio Energy. The plant was proposed for a site on the Elizabeth River which was opposed by local residents in surrounding neighborhoods. The residents had raised concerns about emissions, water usage, and traffic.

Last month, planning commissioners recommended that the $400 million plant proposed for Chesapeake Bay area be denied. The project has been in jeopardy since unfavorable environmental were published and local and regional political support waned. The Baltimore Sun published a report by the Chesapeake Bay Commission estimating that 5 million pounds of nitrogen would pour into Chesapeake Bay if the plant goes through, due to increased corn planting.

Environmental and neighborhood groups have been active in opposition, and the plant’s owners had hired top PR counsel to build public support.

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