A global energy company that hopes to build an industrial-scale biomass plant in Longview, touting it as a renewable energy source, has been fined for launching construction without a permit.

The Southwest Clean Air Agency, a regional environmental regulator, said it issued a $34,000 violation to Drax Group this summer after inspectors found foundations or building support structures on the Longview property right by the Columbia River, across from Rainier, Oregon.