Controversial White County animal waste digester pulled

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A controversial animal waste processing facility proposal in White County has been withdrawn by the petitioner.    

The request to rezone the property to be used for the anaerobic digester went before the White County Area Plan Commission (APC) in March.  Hundreds filled the bleachers at Twin Lakes High School when the area planners voted against the request, 7 to 4.

But a letter presented to the White County Commissioners this week from Rick Roach, one of the developers for the project, states circumstances warrant the withdrawal of the petition.
    
White County Commissioner John Heimlich said despite opposition from some Monticello residents, the project did have merits and he's willing to revisit it if it comes up again.  But the APC's denial would have weighed heavily on any vote.

"It does fit within the county's emphasis on alternative energy and certainly if they can find a location that works, we'll take a look at that," Heimlich.

NewsChannel 18 spoke with Larry Pampel, one of the organizers for the petition drive against the digester.  He applauds the decision to pull it before a vote, but hopes it's not the end and that developers can find a better location elsewhere in the county.

NewsChannel 18 also spoke with Roach.  He declined an on-camera interview, but said he was surprised by the amount of opposition.  He said the developers are regrouping and evaluating their options and is unsure if or how the project will move forward.