Correction: This story has been corrected and updated. The original story said that Palmer Renewable Energy was now known as Palmer Capital. In fact, they are separate entities, and Palmer Capital is not involved in the biomass project in Springfield. 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A plan to build a biomass plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, appears to have new life after the developer of the project won a legal victory reversing previous decisions to revoke key permits. 

Palmer Renewable Energy, according to reports, is utilizing a provision in the state’s 2021 climate law that would allow the company to sell renewable energy credits.

The company reportedly has been looking to build a biomass facility in the Massachusetts town since it received an initial permit in 2008 to build a 35-megawatt plant. The city issued two building permits for Palmer Renewable Energy in 2011.

Palmer did not begin building on the site, and in 2021, the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals ruled the project’s permits invalid, and the state rescinded its environmental approval, citing this lack of progress.

According to MassLive, the Massachusetts Appeals Court this week revived Palmer's fight to build a power plant burning green wood in East Springfield. The court ruled that deadline extensions, meant to prod development in the wake of the 2008 recession, did not expire.

The case is likely headed now to the Supreme Judicial Court, on appeal.

The Springfield City Council and activists are arguing that the plant should not be built due to health and environmental concerns.