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3 Arrests At Protest At Wood-Burning Power Plant

The protesters spoke out against Seneca Jones Timber Co.'s purchase of public forestland east of Reedsport and repeated previous claims that the Seneca Sustainable Energy biomass cogeneration plant is polluting the air in its neighborhood.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Three people have been arrested in a protest at a wood-burning power plant in Eugene, Oregon.

The Register-Guard reports (http://is.gd/gvA4n7) that Monday's demonstration included several dozen environmental activists associated with Earth First! and Cascadia Forest Defenders.

The protesters spoke out against Seneca Jones Timber Co.'s purchase of public forestland east of Reedsport and repeated previous claims that the Seneca Sustainable Energy biomass cogeneration plant is polluting the air in its neighborhood.

The Lane County sheriff's office says it arrested three young men from Eugene. Two of them are accused of locking themselves to equipment inside the plant, with the help of the third protester. They were arrested for investigation of offenses including criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

The newspaper says law enforcement officers escorted the bulk of the protest group from the area shortly after noon.

Seneca General Manager Todd Payne called the protest a "slight inconvenience."

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