North Shore biomass facility passes health study

By Ed Fletcher, Sacramento Bee

A health study on the effects of a planned biomass energy facility near Lake Tahoe has given the project positive marks.

The report, released Monday, found the proposed 2-megawatt facility turning forest slash into energy would have positive health impacts, with few negative effects.

After getting community pushback on a proposed Kings Beach location, officials turned their attention to county-owned land off Highway 89 between Truckee and Squaw Valley.

The report found that the project “will likely benefit community health” by reducing wildfire fuels, diverting open pile burns to a less polluting environment and diversifying energy sources.

Placer County’s planning commission will consider the proposed facility Dec. 20 at the commission’s Auburn chamber, 3091 County Center Drive.