CITY HALL

Methane plant plans for West End killed

STAR BioEnergy pulls back from Heaven Hill plan, following mounting political opposition, but says it's looking for alternative sites.

Phillip M. Bailey, and James Bruggers
The Courier-Journal
Councilwoman Mary Woolridge, left, shared a laugh with Councilman David James in council chambers after he notified her and the Democratic caucus that the plans to develop the methane plant in the city have been cancelled. Jan. 6, 2015
  • Council members James, Woolridge declare victory.
  • Mayor Fischer maintains methane biodigesters are safe, urges community to find appropriate sites.
  • Company said it is eyeing other, unidentified locations.

Capping months of contention, STAR BioEnergy has decided to withdraw its application to the city's zoning board to build a methane plant at 17th and Maple streets, the alternative energy company announced Thursday.

"I'm ecstatic," said Councilman David James, D-6th District, who represents the area and was told about the news by STAR's attorney.

"This is the people's victory and a defeat for the mayor," said Councilwoman Mary Woolridge, D-3rd District. "And I want the mayor to know anything we don't want in our community, we will unite to keep it out."

Mayor Greg Fischer, however, said he had urged STAR and Heaven Hill Distilleries to pull back on the project weeks ago, after previously supporting the technology.

"Anaerobic digesters are a safe and sustainable way to diversify our energy portfolio and help the environment, and I trust our community will be able to find appropriate sites for this technology," Fischer said in a statement. "I appreciate the work of STAR and Heaven Hill to bring this green technology to our city. I also appreciate all of the community involvement that has led to this announcement today.”

Fischer and his staff had argued that the technology was a good way to recycle organic Heaven Hill distillery waste and other food waste into energy, reducing greenhouse gases and saving landfill space, while adding to the local economy.

'East of Ninth' group opposes methane plant

In a statement, STAR attorney Brian Zoeller said the company followed the advice of council members and that it is looking for alternative sites in an industrial or other appropriate area. A news release said it had identified several sites "throughout the county and the region" but declined to identify them.

"STAR has heard the community and will be doing due diligence first," Zoeller said. “The company realizes it could have done a better job at the beginning of communicating what they do and how they work with communities."

Heaven Hill Chief Operating Officer Allan Latts said a Dec. 7 city zoning board meeting that delayed a vote on a land-use permit "sent a clear message. We recognize the concerns we heard at that meeting had to do more with more than just building a (methane) digester. It has to do with a legacy of being overlooked and disrespected in west Louisville."

The Courier-Journal earlier on Thursday reported that a group of city and state elected officials were planning to meet with Fischer on Friday to pressure him to drop his support for the controversial methane plant.

"We want to have a discussion with the mayor about the circumstances and what we have determined with respect to that," said state Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, before the company made its announcement to withdraw its proposal.

Council President David Tandy, who has advocated for the project to be built at the city landfill, said Fischer should know western Louisville residents are not opposed to all economic growth.

"It's not about development in general but the right type of projects coming to neighborhoods or in urban settings that work for the entire community," said Tandy, D-4th District. "That's the lesson that's being learned here. It's no different than questions that would be asked anywhere else in Jefferson County."

The energy company had requested a conditional use permit from the zoning board to build a 3,700-square-foot building along with four 44-foot-tall sealed tanks at the Heaven Hill Distillery site in the Californian neighborhood. The original plan had called for building just three methane tanks.

David Yates elected Metro Council president

Despite the mayor's involvement, a groundswell of opposition from activists and neighborhood leaders resulted in a series of protests against the project.

Those opponents have said the alternative energy sources are a good idea but are against building such a facility in a residential area. Other opponents of the proposal became advocates after the company announced investments in the community.

"We are gratified the mayor, Heaven Hill and STAR have heard the community after months of their legitimate concerns," said Martina Kunnecke, spokeswoman for Coalition for a Sustainable West Louisville.

Kunnecke's group had led a series of protests against the plan.

As for the mayor's claim that he lobbied for the company to pull the project, Kunnecke said it's been the experience of community activists that he never stood with them in opposing the project.

"Although we appreciate his action today, we believe this is the result of overwhelming public outcry from the California neighborhood and their supporters," she said.

It's unclear if STAR will withdraw its deal to provide Simmons College of Kentucky and Kentucky State University with about $5 million in land and other incentives.

The Rev. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons, who praised that venture as an opportunity for economic growth in western Louisville, could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at (502) 582-4475 or pbailey@courier-journal.com. Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.