Lindale Renewable Energy

The Lindale Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has been working with Decker Energy International, Inc. since January 2008 on a project to bring a Biomass Power Plant to Lindale, Texas.  The proposed renewable energy plant will use wood chips as fuel for an enclosed boiler to create steam which will drive a steam turbine and generate 35-50 megawatts of power.   Biomass energy provides significant greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits and is “carbon neutral” as no new carbon is added to the active carbon cycle.  In addition, by using waste wood products for fuel instead of allowing them to decay in a landfill or on the forest floor, significant quantities of methane production, a potent GHG, is avoided.  

The plant is being developed by Decker Energy International, a privately held company based in Winter Park, Florida.  The company was founded in 1982 and has experience with several biomass power facilities.  It is a partner in two currently operating biomass power plants, in Craven County, North Carolina and in Grayling, Michigan.  Last April, LEDC sent eight people, including seven Lindale (and Hideaway) citizens to tour the Craven County, North Carolina plant.  Those who toured the plant returned with high accolades for the project and an appreciation for both the type of renewable energy facility and Decker’s experience.  As a result, LEDC and the City of Lindale are supportive of the project.

The proposed plant is to be located on a 43-acre site currently owned by Lindale Economic Development Corporation south of Interstate 20 and west of Harvey Road (CR 433).  The land is being developed by LEDC as Lindale Industrial Park and is within the Lindale city limits and is zoned for industrial development.    The plant will create about 25 permanent full time jobs and will have capital investment of approximately $130 million.

LEDC chairman Red Brown stated: “It is important to note that the company has made significant progress toward developing the Lindale facility.  However, there are many hurdles to cross before the project is ready to break ground”.  Mike Whiting, CEO of Decker Energy has a similar view, saying, “We are very pleased with our progress to-date.  But much work is still to be done.  If all goes according to plan, it will still be a year or more before we could break ground.  We are excited about working with the Lindale community as we move forward in helping Texas meet its goal for increasing non-wind renewable electric generation.”

The company has made application with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an air permit, which it must receive before it can begin construction.  The plant will have state-of-the-art equipment and emission controls.  Emissions from the stack will not be visible except on cold days, when a white steam vapor may appear.  There is no odor off site and the loudest noise is usually the beeping of the equipment working in the fuel storage area.  Wood chips (fuel) will be delivered to the site by truck, and most deliveries will occur during business hours on weekdays.

                According to Red Brown, Chairman of the Lindale Economic Development Corporation, “this is a great project for Lindale.  We’ve toured one of their current plants, checked out the company and are knowledgeable of the type of plant they propose.  We are extremely pleased that Decker Energy has chosen to locate here in Lindale and will continue to do everything possible to bring this project to operation.”