Plush meadow with stream running through the middle, with trees in the distance under a blue sky with sublte clouds

Stop the Biomass

Protect South Oroville from a Toxic Legacy

Position Paper
Stay Informed

We are a group of local citizens concerned about the fast-developing plan by a local businessman, Oroville city government and big out-of-town interests to create several biomass gasification plants in South Oroville, with little or no public review or oversight.

Our mission: To scrutinize the above-mentioned plans for our town, asking tough questions with the goal of slowing down, if not stopping these plants altogether, while seeking viable alternatives that are not damaging our environment and community.

The Dioxin Threat: What You Need to Know

What is Dioxin?

Dioxins are not a single chemical, but a group of highly toxic, long-lasting environmental pollutants. They are primarily created as unintended by-products of industrial processes that involve burning chlorine, such as waste incineration and wood treatment.

The most dangerous form, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, was a primary component of Agent Orange. It is so potent that scientists measure it in parts per trillion (ppt)—the equivalent of a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Why is it Dangerous?

Dioxins are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down. Once they enter the environment, they stay in the soil and water for decades.

  • The Human Impact: 
    • Dioxin enters human cells and binds to a protein called the Ah Receptor. 
    • It acts like a “false key” that unlocks your DNA, forcing your body to turn “on” or “off” genes related to cancer, immunity, and hormones.
  • Bioaccumulation: 
    • Dioxins are “fat-seeking.” They settle on the grass, are eaten by livestock (like the backyard chickens in South Oroville), and concentrate in meat, dairy, and eggs. 
    • When humans eat these products, the dioxin stores in our own fat cells for 7 to 11 years.
  • Creates a City Council-Sanctioned Cancer Farm: 
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies dioxin as a known human carcinogen. It is linked to:
      • Pancreatic and lung cancers.
      • Immune system suppression and reproductive disorders.
      • Developmental delays and learning disabilities in children.

Why Does this Matter to Oroville & Butte County?

For residents of South Oroville and the surrounding areas, dioxin isn’t just a textbook definition—it’s a documented history.

  • The Legacy of the POPI Site
    The proposed biomass plant is slated for the same ground where the Pacific Oroville Power Inc. (POPI) plant operated until 2012. After decades of illegal ash dumping and toxic wood treatment fires (1963 and 1987), D.A. Mike Ramsey has described the site as “infested with dioxins.” 
  • The Threat of “Ground Disturbance” 
    While developers claim new technology is “clean,” the primary danger is the construction itself. Digging and grading at 3050 S. 5th Avenue will kick up 40-year-old toxic dust. This dust can be inhaled by neighbors or settle back onto local gardens and orchards, re-starting the cycle of contamination.
  • Our Community Health
    Butte County currently faces a crisis, ranking #1 in California for pancreatic cancer. In South Oroville, cases have historically been documented at twice the expected rate. We cannot afford to risk adding even a single part-per-trillion of new toxins to an area that has already been treated as a “sacrifice zone” for decades.

What Can we Do?

The DEC demands:

  • An Immediate Halt:
    • No permits should be issued while the CPUC is ending biomass subsidies and the legal status of the POPI site remains in question.
  • Independent Oversight:
    • We demand a truly independent study—paid for by neither the city nor the developers—to assess dioxin levels and public health risks.
  • Real Clean Energy:
    • We support Phase 1 Solar, but we demand the removal of “Phase 2-5” Biomass. 
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