2

A permit that allowed New York-based Energy Answers International to build a trash-to-energy plant in South Baltimore is no longer valid, state environmental officials told the company Thursday, a significant setback for the controversial project.

Officials with the Maryland Department of the Environment said the permit expired because there had been no construction at the site in Fairfield since October 2013.

Energy Answers has planned to build a $1 billion electricity generation facility that would burn a fuel derived from trash. The Albany, N.Y., company pitched the project in 2009, and the Maryland Public Service Commission approved its permit in 2010.

A representative for Energy Answers did not respond to requests for comment.

Environmental advocates and community groups had called on regulators to enforce a provision of the permit that forbade a lull in construction activity lasting 18 months or more.

The Washington-based advocacy group Environmental Integrity Project intended to file a citizen lawsuit demanding enforcement of the permit's terms.

Opponents had argued the project would harm air quality in a part of the city where pollution levels are already high.

Groups that fought the project cheered the department's actions Thursday.

“It's really excellent news for public health reasons,” said Dr. Gwen Dubois, a leader of Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility. “It's such an environmental justice issue.”

Officials said they are passing the matter on to the Public Service Commission, which has the power to cancel the permit.

sdance@baltsun.com

twitter.com/ssdance