Lufkin, TX — After sitting idle for three months due to low energy prices, Aspen Power’s Lufkin biomass plant is scheduled to go back online June 3.

According to Aspen Power owner Danny Vines, higher summer energy demand projected by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas will make it more lucrative to power back up.

“The closer we get to the hot summer, the higher prices will go,” he said.

In February, Vines said the company hoped to have to the biomass plant, located in North Lufkin on Kurth Drive, running by May after having to let 33 of 52 employees go. In June, he said, he hopes to call 36 back to work.

Former Aspen Power water technician Monica Gibson said she will not be among those going back to work for Vines. Gibson, a North Lufkin resident, said she is done going to bat for the plant, as it has gotten her nowhere.

Read more from the Lufkin Daily News here.