Flint biogas project could be under way this summer

FLINT TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -- (06/13/09)--Supporters of the country's first potential biogas plant say it will bring jobs and attention to Mid-Michigan.

Now, a major backer of the plan says construction will begin in August.  Michael Wood, the former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, spoke at Kettering University's commencement this weekend.

The proposed plant site has been relatively quiet since last year's announcement, but Wood feels that despite a delay of several months, the project is still on track.

"They expect to break ground on the construction in August," he said.   "It has the potential to be hugely important."

Flint native Michael Wood is credited with attracting a Swedish company to build the biogas plant in Genesee County, of all places.  The idea generated international attention last September when Sweden's king visited Flint for a ceremonial groundbreaking.

Nine months later, the site hasn't changed much.  But other things have.

"Certainly there have been setbacks that needed to be overcome as a result of the political situation in Flint and as a result of the economic situation in the world," Wood explained. 

Wood now says the plant should be up and running by next summer.  It will produce methane gas used to generate electricity for the city.  That gas could power MTA buses and perhaps save millions of dollars.

Kettering's provost is preparing research studies to develop the technology.

"What it will do is be part of a way broader effort to turn Flint into a university town," said Michael Harris.

The multi-million dollar project is expected to create just 25 jobs right off the bat, but Wood is thinking of the bigger picture.

"The big numbers come when the other cities and the other states say, 'I want to do what Flint is doing,'" he said.

Wood added that the project faces at least one more procedural vote before city council, but he expects that vote to be completed by August.

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