County adopts plan to address biomass issues

GAINESVILLE – The Alachua County Commission came to a decision on how to deal with complaints about noise and pollution from the biomass plant.

Residents of Turkey Creek in Alachua have been vocal about their problems with the volume level and dust coming from the plant since it went online in August. The Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GERC) is within Gainesville’s city limits, but after conducting noise tests in Turkey Creek, the Gainesville Police Department said the volume is within the legal level.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the commission unanimously voted for a plan to address the issue.

First, it will send a letter to GREC and the Gainesville City Commission asking to be allowed to take part in dialogues regarding how to solve issues with the plant.

Second, it will send notice to GREC, the City of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that Alachua County intends to intervene in the permitting proceedings, with the intent to oppose operational permits if satisfactory progress isn’t made to control noise and fugitive dust.

Third, it will send a letter to GREC saying the county, as an affected party, will bring forward public nuisance litigation if progress in addressing the complaints is still lacking.

Finally, it will request that the county attorney and city manager bring back to the commissioners any recommended amendments to the county’s noise ordinances, including the decibel standards.

It will also look into municipalities that request county ordinances be applied in city limits.

While the county, City of Gainesville, City of Alachua and GREC discuss the issue, complaints from citizens of Turkey Creek have still been coming in.

“I don't understand how any of the folks in power can sit back and allow this abusive and invasive noise pollution to continue to affect so many people,” wrote Turkey Creek resident Greg Williamson in an email to the county commission.

#     #     #

Email cmckinney@

alachuatoday.com