News
By George Miller, 3-17-25
RYAM has been trying to gain city approval to build a 7+ million gallon yearly bioethanol plant in the City of Fernandina Beach. The plant would utilize byproducts of the current manufacturing process. The new City Manager rejected it as being in violation of a city ordinance prohibiting chemical manufacturing. But RYAM maintains that it is not chemical manufacturing, even comparing it to a brewery distilling low proof non-burning beer and has sued the city over the rejection. It could also present hazards in the manufacturing process, storage and truck transportation.
Now, it appears that RYAM is attempting an end run, via lobbyists allegedly inserting wording into a bill declaring that fermenting bioethanol isn’t really chemical manufacturing at all. One wonders how that will do in the courts. Locals are fighting it and approaching state legislators about deleting that item.
We saw this on Nextdoor.com recently:
Update to my earlier post about State Sen. Stan McClain (District 9) trying to further erode home rule in our state. Call him and tell him to remove Paragraph (5) concerning his redefining what a chemical process is. We here in District 4 know what the truth is and who is behind this effort. Call
(352) 732-1249
Please also call Sen. Clay Yarborough (our state senator) and let him know you do not appreciate the eleventh-hour attempt to manipulate or alter our Comp Plan, LDC and our efforts at local home rule. His number is
(904) 723-2035
Former City Mayor and blogger Mike Lednovich also reported/opined on the matter thusly.
The RYAM facility has been there a long time. Many residents don’t like it here, but it is here legally, has major sunk costs and it would be very expensive to relocate. So some residents don’t want it to get any bigger, more poluting and more dangerous.
9 hr ago
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Regarding the ethanol amendment that was added to SB 1118 last Friday: The most important contacts are those on the Committee for Community Affairs. They are the ones voting today. Tell their office you’re calling to oppose the ethanol amendment that was slipped onto SB 1118, in paragraph #5 on Friday. Please contact by 3 pm. Here are the important ones to reach out to: Sen. Jason Pizzo –
(954) 893-5045
He is active with the League of Cities and Assoc. of Counties which is helpful. He is approachable. Bill’s sponsor is Sen. Stan McClain-
(352) 732-1249
He is also the Chairman of the Community Affairs Committee. Not likely to help because this is his bill, but let him know our concerns. Sen. Tom Leek (R)-
(386) 446-7610
A lawyer and Chair of Commerce and Tourism and seems very involved in Tourism issues. Definitely someone to approach. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo (R)-
(239) 417-6205
Attorney in Naples – represents Collier, Hendry, parts of Lee County- had a receptive office person. Sen. Shev Jones,
(305) 493-6002
Represents Miami-Gardens. Hopefully a willing ear. He is also the Vice Chair of Rules and should be helpful in that committee if the bill moves there. Remember volume is the key—- more calls=more attention. So please also encourage others also.
Previous articles:
FB RYAM Bioethanol Plant Hearing
Update: RYAM Statement on Proposed Fernandina Ethanol Plant
Local Activist Opines on Fernandina Commission Machinations Surrounding Proposed Bioethanol Plant
Removal of Bioethanol Presentation From 9/3 City Agenda
2024 05-30 Public Notice of Gathering No Ethanol Town Hall Meeting
