Covanta Energy says it will have to shut down its biomass power plant in Delano if they don’t get assistance from the state.

James Regan is a spokesman for the company and says it’s getting too expensive to run the 50-megawatt facility, and they’re asking for some cap-and-trade money through an assembly bill to offset the losses.

“It’s anticipated that, at the end of the year, when our current power purchase agreement expires, that we’ll have to cease operations of that facility,” he said.

Regan says 40 jobs would be affected if the plant shuts down. The plant converts organic material from farms to generate energy.

– Anthony Pollreisz