Lufkin Biomass Power Plant Almost Ready to Generate Electricity
The Aspen Biomass Power Plant on Lufkin's north side is expected to be completed and generating electricity by May. It will be the first power plant of its kind in Texas.
The biomass plant will burn waste wood and debris from the logging and timber industry to generate electric power.
Aspen Power President Danny Vines says the plant will be doing its first burn during a final commissioning phase two months from now, and he expects it to be in operation by early May.
Part of the final commissioning process is to test emissions levels, in accordance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidelines.
Vines says the 50-megawatt power plant, off Kurth Drive in North Lufkin, will generate hundreds of jobs and be a major contributor to the local economy.
The biomass plant is also generating controversy. There are concerns about potential air pollution from its emissions, and people on Lufkin's largely minority north side have complained about having a power plant built in their part of town.
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