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Waste-to-energy project coming to Whitewater

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JANESVILLE — A $30 million waste-to-energy project is coming to Whitewater.

Green Energy Holdings, Inc., a Clermont, Fla., company, recently completed a nine month-long process culminating in an agreement to build the facility on a 15-acre site adjacent to the city's wastewater treatment plant on Highway U. Former Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner said the facility will add $10 million to the city's tax roll and provide as many as 70 new jobs.

The project features an anaerobic digester, an airtight container that processes organic material such as animal manure into a biogas used as an energy source.

The project is proceeding with a continuing commitment from Green Energy Holdings, Interim City Manager Cameron Clapper said.

A local blogger, John Adams, has posed several questions about the project at his site, freewhitewater.com. Adams questions whether the city conducted an inquiry into Green Energy Holdings, as well as claims made regarding jobs and claw back provisions such as what happens if the project does not produce a certain number of jobs.

"I know of no such problems," Clapper said. "It is my understanding that we have a memorandum of understanding with Green Energy and all conditions either have been met or are expected to be met."

The city has provided the company with a $175,000 economic development grant and will provide water service at no cost. The company has committed to one $30 million investment with at least $10 million in taxable property.

The project schedule calls for a Dec. 1, 2013, opening.