The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will return to the topic of a massive wood pellet on Tuesday. The board sought an extension of time to comment on the project when it was first introduced to the board in late October 2024.
It was a reasonable request given the report was 1,300 pages long.
Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone proposes sending a letter with comments on the project proposed by Golden State Natural Resources that would create two wood pellet processing plants in Tuolomme and Lassen counties to harvest trees cut down in forest thinning projects, trucking the pellets to the Port of Stockton where they would be shipped to international energy markets. The proposed letter outlines various concerns about the project and urges more transparency.
“Humboldt County, with its vested interest in forest health and economic development, appreciates the project’s goals but emphasizes that economic progress must not compromise public health or environmental sustainability,” the letter states.
During October discussions, Madrone highlighted a range of concerns and originally wanted to write a letter of opposition. On the other end of the spectrum was 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who previously served on the board of Golden State Natural Resources, called it “a pretty good project.”
The letter shared on Tuesday’s agenda outlines concerns about environmental impacts, how Stockton would be affected by the project, and a lack of alternatives. It also offers some recommendations that could help entice the board to approve supporting the project.
A critical complaint of the proposal is about the risk of Golden State Natural Resources partnering with Drax Global, a power generation company that has a history of environmental violation complaints both in the U.S. and abroad. In August 2024 — just two months before the project was introduced to Humboldt County supervisors — the Associated Press reported the company admitted its wood pellet production facilities in Louisiana emit hazardous air pollutants above their permitted limits.
“Key controversies not fully addressed include the involvement of Drax, a company with a history of environmental violations, and the export of pellets to countries with unclear environmental benefits,” the letter states.
Another concern is that Golden State Natural Resources was overstating how the proposed project helps forest resiliency when 50% of the feedstock will come from commercial logging, which would end up “aligning this project more closely with pellet production than forest health.” It also notes sustainability is questionable as it would be the largest facility in the United States.
Additionally, there are concerns about air quality around the plants.
“These emissions disproportionately affect South Stockton, an environmental justice community aiready burdened by poor air quality,” the letter notes.
The letter also calls out a lack of alternatives to the proposal suggesting that downsizing it by cutting overseas shipping or developing smaller biomass plants could reduce emissions.
The letter offers recommendations such as improving the environmental analysis to account for sustainability, enforcing air quality controls, seeking other alternatives and considering the needs of “overburdened communities like Stockton.”
“We urge GSNR to amend the DEIR to address these critical shortcomings,” the letter concludes. “With revisions, the project can better align with its stated goals of wildfire resilience, forest health, and sustainability without exacerbating environmental and social disparities.”
Ruth Schneider can be reached at 707-441-0520.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct that Rex Bohn previously served as a board member for Golden State Natural Resources.
