Meeting with Somerset County on Ethanol Plant

Today I met with the Somerset County Commissioners regarding the plans submitted by Chesapeake Renewable Energy to construct an ethanol plant just over the line in south Somerset County. Councilman Hawkins and City Manager Blake also accompanied me to Princess Anne.

I expressed our concerns chiefly over the consumption of water and the various public safety aspects that left us with some questions. I was pleased that Somerset Planning officials had already begun to take steps in requiring Chesapeake Renewable Energy to provide studies and documentation regarding the water issues as well as overall aspects of the plants operations and its potential effect on our area. Somerset Commissioner Boston recommended that Pocomoke City and Worcester County share a seat at the table with them at future meetings regarding the plant. This was great news to our ears and was agreed to by the full Board of Commissioners.

Several Company officials were also at the meeting. They indicated that they had already drilled test wells into the Pocomoke Aquifer but the results were not very promising. They are still in the planning stages of a drilling into the Potapsco Aquifer (1100 feet) but they have no idea if the aquifer even runs through their property. While they are considering suggestions to use effluent discharge from our Waste Water Treatment Plant (along with one in Somerset County), they seem most interested in the idea of drawing direct from the Pocomoke River. Their engineers are not keen on the idea. and many additional studies would have to be done before this could be considered a viable alternative, but it is an interesting option worth consideration.

They also met with Pocomoke City Fire Chief Dick Gladding earlier today to discuss fire suppression issues at the facility. This was a welcome sign as well since we had not been a part of these discussions until now. I spoke with Chief Gladding and he advised me that the meeting went well and he feels confident that the plant owners will work with him to insure that Pocomoke City has any necessary equipment to deal with ethanol fire suppression or other consequences at the plant.

In summary, I believe the meeting was effective and I appreciate the attitude of the Somerset County Commissioners in being a good neighbor. We waded through some misinformation in the details of the plant and subsequent submissions to the MDE. I believe they will do their best to insure that all of our pertinent questions are answered before they give the final go ahead with the plant.

After listening today, and knowing the paperwork and studies that must be accomplished prior to any water being assigned to this project by the Maryland Department of the Environment, I am not sure if they will be able to solve their water needs at their current location. I am pleased that we will be a part of this discussion from now on and I look forward to a much closer relationship with the Somerset County Commissioners in the future as our areas continue to grow and develop.