There is a lot of “alphabet soup” surrounding the South Oroville biomass project (OCDC, BREI, BioMAT, CPUC). We believe transparency is the first step toward accountability. Here is a breakdown of the entities and individuals pushing this plan—and the community leaders standing against it.
The Out of Towners
BREI (Butte Renewable Energy Inc.)
- Who Are They: The primary private developer and “owner” of the proposed project.
- The Connection: BREI is a collaboration between a United Kingdom-based energy entity and local interests.
- The Mission: To build a 5-phase “Energy Campus” at the old POPI site. While they lead with “Solar,” their ultimate goal is a large-scale biomass gasification plant fueled by forest thinning.
OCDC (Oroville Community Development Coalition)
- Who Are They: Marketed as a “community-led” group, the OCDC functions as the primary lobbying and PR arm for the biomass project.
- The Conflict: The OCDC was founded by Shawn Webber (Oroville City Councilor and 2026 Mayoral candidate). Despite being a public-facing entity, it has no official membership list and is heavily populated by project backers like Brian Wong.
- The Tactics: OCDC hosts the “Town Halls” that have been criticized by residents as “dog and pony shows” with limited time for public questioning.
The City of Oroville Insiders
- Patrick Piatt (Community Development Director): The lead city official coordinating with BREI. Piatt has traveled to Europe (England and Italy) on behalf of the city to scout the technologies and companies involved in this proposal.
- The City Council: Currently moving forward on the “Envision Southside” and “Oro Verde” municipal utility plans, which provide the regulatory framework for the biomass plant to proceed.
The Watchdogs
The Dioxin Education Committee (DEC)
- Who We Are: A grassroots coalition of South Oroville residents, former city councilors, and environmental advocates.
- Our Role: We are the “Community Watchtower.” We scrutinize the technical claims, track the money, and ensure the 60-year history of pollution in Oroville is never forgotten or repeated.
Mike Ramsey (Butte County District Attorney)
- The Role: The highest law enforcement official in the county.
- The Stance: D.A. Ramsey successfully shut down the previous POPI plant in 2012 for environmental violations. He has publicly warned that the current site is “infested with dioxins” and has stated on the record: “This is personal and I will be watching.”
The Sierra Club (Blue Oak Group)
- Who They Are: Providing the statewide policy and scientific framework to oppose “dirty energy.” They have formally labeled biomass as “dirtier than coal” at the smokestack.
The Center for Biological Diversity
- Who They Are: Led by Dr. Shaye Wolf, they provide the climate science and legal expertise regarding the BioMAT subsidy programs. They are currently working at the state level to ensure taxpayers are no longer forced to fund expensive biomass projects.
The Biochar Coalition
- Who They Are: The ethical voice for “Real Alternatives.” They advocate for non-combustion uses of forest waste that restore the soil rather than polluting the air.