The city council in Springfield, Massachusetts has green-lighted an appeal to try to block construction of a wood-burning power plant.
The council authorized the filing of a notice of appeal of last month’s Massachusetts Land Court ruling that reinstated the building permit for the biomass project. Dozens of project opponents urged the council to act prior to a September 15th deadline. City Councilor Tim Allen said a lawyer advised the council the appeal has a 25 percent chance of success.
"I believe the zoning board of appeals made the right call. The land court overruled that. If we appeal there will be another look at it."
Environmental groups and neighborhood activists have fought the project since 2008. The developer has secured all the required environmental permits to build the 35 megawatt plant.
