Tennessee Air Board Fines Biomass Operator for Unauthorized Fuel Use

Enexor Energy cited for burning unapproved Algate blend at Franklin facility

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:40pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a stack of industrial fuel pellets and a small pile of shredded cardboard on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the tension between approved and unapproved biomass fuels.A tense balance between approved and unauthorized biomass fuels highlights the regulatory challenges facing the renewable energy industry.Franklin Today

The Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board has issued a $1,500 civil penalty against Enexor Energy, LLC for allegedly using an unapproved fuel blend called 'Algate' at the company's biomass-fired boiler facility in Franklin, Tennessee. The state's air division cited the violation after reviewing the facility's compliance records and conducting an annual inspection.

Why it matters

Proper fuel use and emissions control are critical for biomass energy facilities to operate within environmental regulations. This penalty highlights the state's enforcement of air permit requirements, which aim to protect local air quality and public health.

The details

According to the state's Proposed Order, Enexor Energy was found to have used the Algate blend - a mix of algae and cardboard - as fuel for its biomass boilers on April 16 and 24, 2025, which was not approved under the facility's air permit. The company later submitted a request to the Division of Air Pollution Control to approve Algate as a fuel, which was subsequently granted.

  • Enexor Energy submitted a request to use Algate fuel on November 7, 2025.
  • The Division of Air Pollution Control conducted an annual compliance inspection on November 6, 2025.
  • The Division received the facility's compliance records from August 22, 2024 to August 30, 2025 on October 31, 2025.

The players

Enexor Energy, LLC

The operator of a biomass-fired boiler facility in Franklin, Tennessee that was cited for using an unapproved fuel blend.

Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board

The state regulatory agency that issued the $1,500 civil penalty against Enexor Energy for the air permit violation.

Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control

The state agency that reviewed Enexor Energy's compliance records, conducted the annual inspection, and later approved the use of the Algate fuel blend.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of biomass energy producers strictly adhering to their air permits and working proactively with regulators to gain approval for any changes to their operations or fuel sources. Unauthorized deviations can result in significant penalties that impact the viability of these facilities.