A proposed wood pellet storage facility at the Port of Stockton is sparking opposition from local organizations due to concerns about potential environmental and health risks. The facility, part of a multimillion-dollar project by Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR), aims to store and export wood pellets made from forest biomass to reduce the threat of wildfires.
The project includes two wood pellet processing plants in Lassen and Tuolumne counties, with the finished pellets transported to Stockton for international shipping. GSNR estimates that the facility could have a $29.2 million economic impact and create eight full-time jobs.
Despite the economic benefits, local groups, including Little Manila Rising and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), are voicing concerns. They argue that the facility could increase Stockton’s already poor air quality and pose risks of fire and explosion from wood dust. San Joaquin County already has some of the worst air quality in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Opponents have called the project an “environmental injustice,” criticizing GSNR for prioritizing profits over community safety. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which will address these concerns, is expected to be released later this year or in early 2025.
GSNR remains committed to the project, securing loans and negotiating with local labor councils to move forward with construction. However, local opposition continues to build as Stockton residents await further information on the facility’s potential impact.
Sources: Stocktonia
