Trash Plant

By Mike Savage
WPPR Demorest

A Northeast Georgia business is moving forward with plans to build a multi million dollar trash burning plant that would help generate power. Agriculture officials say the plant would be the first of its kind in the state.

Franklin County-based Earth Resources says it has received a 29 million dollar loan to build the plant which would generate electricity from burning construction debris, cooking grease and chicken litter among other things.

The plant will be located on highway 198 near Carnesville and supply about 20 megawatts of power to about 30 Electric Membership corporations.

State Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin says the plant is a great idea. “I think it’s good for everyone involved. We live in a belt where we have a lot of chicken compost. In many areas, we have more than the soil can hold. So I’m in favor of any advancement in this field.”

But some nearby residents are not as positive. They are concerned that the plant will emit fowl odors and increase traffic in the area. The plant is expected to be operational by the end of the year.