Laidlaw to convert pulp mill into (66 MW) biomass power plant (NH)

[jpak]

http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2338

Laidlaw Energy Group Inc., through its affiliate, Laidlaw Berlin Biopower LLC, announced Jan. 5 that it has completed an acquisition to develop a 66 megawatt biomass power plant in Berlin, N.H., over the next two years.

The facility will be constructed utilizing the revived remains of former Fraser Paper pulp mill, which has been owned by North American Dismantling Corp. since May 2006. North American Dismantling demolished buildings and assets not associated with the project; and sold the remaining assets and 50 percent of the land to Laidlaw Energy. The acquisition is accompanied by requisite financing for development of the $100 million project.

According to Laidlaw Energy, among the key assets acquired is a 1993-installed Babcock & Wilcox Co. boiler, which has a steam capacity of approximately 600,000 pounds per hour after biomass conversion.

When in operation, the power plant will run on approximately 700,000 tons of whole-tree wood chips annually, as well as other wood residue sourced from the local forest products industry and trucked in wood biomass.

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[thereismore]

1. The amount of particle matter in the air from burning wet woodchips will choke

people with allergies and without.

[jpak]

2. It's an existing boiler that operated for many years at the site - no choking reported

n/t

[Maine-i-acs]

3. Have you smelled Berlin, NH before the mill closed?

The particulates from treating coated paper could literally peel the paint off your house. Burning wood should be mild by comparison. I see this as a plus for Berlin, given the importance of that mill on the regional economy.

[thereismore]

4. Glad to hear that. nt