Bioethanol plant on Fernandina barrier island draws blanket opposition from forum candidates; mayor recuses

The proposed bioethanol production plant drew strong opposition from several candidates at the Fernandina Observer candidate forum.

Denise Mitchell said she opposes siting ‘‘very dangerous chemical processing’’ on a barrier island, praising the historic mill’s long economic contribution but saying the proposed location is inappropriate. Tim Poynter called placing a plant a quarter‑mile from the downtown historic district and on an island with limited evacuation routes ‘‘a bad idea.’’ Christy Kelly said she is a ‘‘hard no’’ on ethanol at that location.

Mayor Bradley Bean said he has recused himself from any votes related to the proposed plant because he works at the mill, and he again affirmed his support for local jobs. Joyce Tooten, a retired chemistry teacher, said the city’s comprehensive plan and land‑development code do not allow chemical manufacturing within city limits and raised specific emissions concerns: she said the company’s permit submissions showed nitrous‑oxide emissions rising from about 1,400 to 1,700 tons (a 40% increase) and that sulfur‑dioxide and carbon‑monoxide figures would increase by ‘‘more than 100%’’ compared with baseline data the company provided.

Tooten characterized those permit baseline choices as misleading, saying the company used 2014 data rather than more recent years and accused the proponent of misrepresentation. The forum did not include a representative from the company to respond.

Why it matters: Siting a chemical‑processing facility on a barrier island raises public‑safety, air‑quality and land‑use questions that the next commission may have to consider; the mayor’s announced recusal could shape future votes.