ASSUMPTION PARISH — Vanguard Renewables, the company that was looking at an area on Highway 70, on the north end of Assumption, for its renewable energy project, isn’t moving forward with its plans.
Earlier this month, UWK learned that the company was looking to build an anaerobic digester in the parish, which essentially takes food waste product and turns it into methane gas and fertilizer.
Vanguard Renewables approached the Assumption Parish Police Jury about the project about six months ago, and the group spent time learning about it. But Police Jury President Leroy Blanchard told UWK that no decisions had be made.
President Blanchard said the police jury was made aware last week that Vanguard Renewables was pausing their efforts, and not pursuing the anaerobic digester project in Assumption Parish.
Vanguard Renewables sent UWK the following statement about the decision:
At Vanguard Renewables, we evaluate potential anaerobic digester sites through a comprehensive process that considers factors such as the suitability of the proposed farm site, availability of feedstock (food and farm waste), competitive landscape, local and state regulatory environment, and an identified RNG buyer. In the case of Assumption Parish, the absence of a clear zoning determination for this type of project prevented us from reaching a final investment decision, and we have chosen not to move forward with development at this time. We remain committed to delivering environmental and economic value to local communities through organics recycling and renewable energy solutions, and continue to engage with the Parish Solicitor on the opportunity to revisit this project in the future.
There is a police jury meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 22, and Vanguard Renewables will have a representative there to address the full jury.
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