ANDOVER — The developer of a proposed power plant in Billerica said the project is on hold, but will be back on track this fall when plans are resubmitted to the town's Conservation Commission.

Area residents opposed to the natural gas-burning plant — including several from Andover — said they'll be ready when the time comes to continue their fight against the facility, which would potentially carry emissions into Tewksbury, Chelmsford, Lowell and a portion of West Andover.

"I feel like people need to know," said Amy Yanowitz of Wild Rose Drive in Andover. "They feel like Billerica is far away, but we're downwind of Billerica."

Emissions from the plant would include low levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, according to a public report put together last year by Environmental Health and Engineering Inc.

Yanowitz said she is concerned the emissions may cause respiratory problems in her three children, ages 6 and younger. Rob Candela of Inwood Lane in Andover, who has asthma, is also worried.

"My concern is there's some emissions coming over that will start to affect me," said Candela.

The 348-megawatt plant would only be used during times of peak electricity consumption, said Joe Fitzpatrick, president and chief executive officer of Thornton, N.H.-based DG Clean Power LLC.

If built, the Billerica Energy Center would be developed by DG Clean Power and owned and operated by Montgomery Power Partners of Texas.

The plant would be at 134 Billerica Ave. in North Billerica, near the Tewksbury line.

The proposed facility was approved by the state Energy Facilities Siting Board in March. In its decision, the board noted the plant would have a minimum impact on the environment and be operated in accordance with the state's current health and environmental protection policies.

But the plant still needs approval in Billerica.

The Billerica Conservation Commission has denied DG Clean Power an extension on two notices it filed for the project after the developer sought to alter its construction plan to accommodate abutting wetlands.

As a result, Fitzpatrick said DG Clean Power has withdrawn the notices and will refile them in the fall.

"It just made more sense to take out a new application," said Fitzpatrick. "We pretty much signaled what we'll be coming back with. We're on a different time frame."

Fitzpatrick said the biggest question facing the proposed plant is the future of the economy. With electricity consumption down, the demand for a peak-usage plant is not there, he said.

"The bigger issue really is the power market," said Fitzpatrick.