Agency Delays Decision; Biomass Plant Seeks Tax Credits

By LAURA NESBITT Mountain View Telegraph

A state agency has delayed a decision on whether a proposed biomass power plant near Estancia will receive any tax credits until the parties involved explain their arguments publicly.

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Joanna Prukop decided this week — when a decision was expected on an appeal by Western Water and Power Production LLC — to listen to oral arguments from the parties.

WWPP is appealing the denial of its application for state renewable energy production tax credits to the Energy, Conservation and Management Division of the department.

The first Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department letter rejecting WWPP’s application was dated April 17. Western Water and Power also received a second rejection letter Sept. 25.

The state’s response to the appeal said Western Water and Power did not demonstrate that it had secured any biomass fuel for the project.

"WWPP’s incomplete application did not meet the criteria for approval. An applicant can resubmit its application, but it will lose its place in line," Jodi McGinnis Porter, public information officer, has said.

The company said it provided plenty of contract data to the agency.

The tax credits could be worth $2.74 million annually, according to the division’s response to the appeal.

Western Water and Power Production intends to use biomass, primarily pion and juniper, from nearby mountains and rangeland to fuel its proposed $80 million, 35-megawatt plant.

Oral arguments have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 25 in Porter Hall in the Wendell Chino Building, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe.

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