Judge Orders Toccoa Biofuel Plant to Speed Up Clean Up

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

A biofuel plant in Toccoa, under fire for emitting noxious odors, must speed up their plan to get rid of the bad smell.

Wilbros LLC is facing two different law suits; one from city and county government, as well as a class action suit from local citizens over the continued odors coming from the plant at the corner of Rose Lane and Highway 145 in Toccoa.

Last week during a hearing before Mountain Judicial Superior Court Judge Robert Adamson, Adamson asked why it was taking Wilbros so long to comply with an EPD order to make changes that would eliminate the smell.

After testimony from both sides, Adamson and the attorneys agreed on a modified court order that would shorten a 300-day timeline to get the plant cleaned up.

The modified order will require Wilbros to place both permeable covers and wood chip covers over the outdoor compost rows within 10 days, as well as increase the carbon-nitrogen ratio in the composting process.

They must also decrease the amount of chicken skin and fat waste being used on the compost pad by 30 percent.  

Don Stack represents Stephens County, the City of Toccoa, the Stephens County School System, and a non-profit citizens group formed to fight the plant odors.

“I think the judge is acutely aware of the concerns of the citizens and rightfully is considering the impacts to all the parties,” said Stack.

Adamson told the attorneys while he understands citizens are sick and tired of the continued odor, he is not yet ready to shut the plant down.  That was good news for Wilbros’ attorney, Steven Gilliam.

“Obviously, we are pleased that the judge understands the economics of the situation as well as the sensitivity of the neighbors and he is balancing those two interests,” said Gilliam, who called what the judge came up with a “very good proposal.” – See more at: http://wnegradio.com/judge-modifies-court-order-in-wilbros-case/#sthash.jWejLLgy.dpuf
“Obviously, we are pleased that the judge understands the economics of the situation as well as the sensitivity of the neighbors and he is balancing those two interests,” said Gilliam, who called what the judge came up with a “very good proposal.”