LAKESIDE CONSIDERS A FOOD SCRAPS TO ENERGY PROJECT: COMMUNITY MEETING JULY 19 HOSTED BY PROJECT TEAM

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By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Biogas pipes, creative commons image via Vortexrealm

July 11, 2018 (Lakeside) – The project team for a proposed project to convert food scraps to energy will host a drop-in session for community member on Thursday, July 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center. The team will be on hand to answer questions, hear input and provide information – along with pie and coffee.

The project site is located in northern Lakeside, at 12243 Highway 67, between Johnson Lake Road and Vigilante Road. The project site is currently used for outdoor material and equipment storage. Other types of industrial uses are located nearby. The site is zoned County M58 industrial, which allows for the Food-Scraps-to-Energy project with a Major Use Permit.

A new law requires food businesses to recycle organic wastes and also asks cities and counties to come up with organic waste recycling program.  The food waste-to-energy project would utilize anaerobic digestion using microbes to produce methane, creating power that will be used to fuel the regional power grid.

According to the proponents’ website, “processing steps will be enclosed, from food scrap delivery to energy production. Scraps are delivered in trucks and either pumped directly into the system or unloaded inside of an enclosed facility. This practice, along with a host of reliable and proven technologies, minimizes any odor and emissions, and keeps food scraps out of sight.”

The facility will generate approximately 31 truck trips per day, during normal business operating hours. Trucks will enter the site by turning right from Highway 67. When exiting, they will follow the safe route of turning right on Highway 67, and then turning south on Moreno Avenue and accessing Highway 67 at Willow Road. U-turns and left turns on Highway 67 will be prohibited for exiting trucks.

The proponents’ site indicates that planning has established protocols to maintain safe conditions during wildfire. The Lakeside Fire Department was also given the opportunity to review and comment on the draft plan.

The project includes plans for landscaping, lighting and security, hours of operation, parking, storm water and design of structures, consistent with the Lakeside Design Guidelines.

 For more info, see https://www.foodscraps2energy.com/.


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