Baard delays caused by misinformation

EAST LIVERPOOL - Environmental groups have been accused of continuing to spread misinformation at the federal level about Baard Energy project that officials fear could further impede efforts to make the $6 billion plant a reality.

The concern was raised at Monday's meeting of the county Port Authority board by member Charles Presley and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Drake, after they met earlier in the day with Baard officials.

Presley said the meeting was to discuss the status of Baard's plans to build a coal-to-liquid fuel conversion plant on port authority property outside Wellsville. The project is more than a year behind schedule because of problems obtaining financing complicated by Baard's decision last March to withdraw its application for a $2.5 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Baard decided to drop the loan application after the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council filed appeals of the state permits issued for the project. As a matter of policy, the energy department won't issue loans for any projects while there are any outstanding legal disputes, and Baard wanted to proceed with the project rather than wait for the outcome of what could be a lengthy appeals process.

Drake said some environmental groups, which he later identified as the NRDC, are "trying to stifle the project at every turn ... by spreading inaccurate information."

When asked after the meeting for more specifics, Drake said Baard officials indicated the NRDC has suggested to federal officials the permits issued for the project provide the company with more leeway than intended in meeting environmental standards, with the implication the plant would be free to exceed pollution limits.

"It's almost like a game of 'Let's see how much we can talk this project down,'" he said.

If Baard wins the appeals fights and gets the operational permits free and clear, the company may want to reapply for a federal loan, but the energy department may be unwilling because of the misleading information it is hearing, Drake said.

Despite the delays, Presley said Baard officials assured them they are moving forward with the project, and Drake said construction could begin this year if the company wins its appeals battle and lines up the necessary financing.

While on the subject of environmental groups, Drake noted the same plant Baard is proposing to build here for $6 billion costs $2.5 billion in China, with the extra costs due to U.S. regulations.

"If we don't get a reasonable resolution to this, environmentalists are going to run this country into the ground," he said.

"Amen," added board member Mike Halleck.