Modesto Bee: A plant that would turn orchard wood into electricity won initial support Tuesday from the Modesto Irrigation District board. Directors voted 5-0 to launch the state-required environmental study of the plant, which would be built in the Beard Industrial District in southeast Modesto. The plant would burn wood removed from nut and fruit orchards during pruning or replacement of the trees. It would provide a service to growers facing an end to open burning and supply the …