A biomass facility might not be a good idea for Springfield

A biomass facility, though proven profitable elsewhere, might not be a good idea for Springfield, explained Hal Wilkins of Ramsey, Warren, LLC at a meeting last Wednesday.
http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/biomass-facility-might-not-be-good-idea-springfield

A Biomass Facility Might Not be a Good Idea for Springfield Submitted by VT Journal on Tue, 03/19/2013 - 2:28pm By BY KATY SAVAGE The Shopper SPRINGFIELD, VT -A biomass facility, though proven profitable elsewhere, might not be a good idea for Springfield, explained Hal Wilkins of Ramsey, Warren, LLC at a meeting at the Universalist Church last Wednesday. A proposed 25 to 35 MW biomass electric generating plant is being proposed by Winstanley Enterprises to provide district heating for buildings in Industrial Park.The plant would consume over 200,000 cords of wood per year for the next 50 years. Wilkins is a neutral party who knows little of the Winstanley’s endeavors, he said. But based on his experience and extensive knowledge of biomass plants, how the project would be financed and supplied “worried” him. A major supplier of biomass fuels is saw mills, but saw mills as nearby as Claremont, N.H. have closed in recent years because “they couldn’t get logs,” said Wilkins. There is a shortage problem in Saratoga, New York. “There are lots of horses-lots of people who want sawdust (in Saratoga),” he said. “We have to start thinking, ‘Where are we going to get this wood?’” To alleviate the shortage, some logs are shipped from Quebec, which can be costly. Another problem is the nature of the logging business, which only produces dry wood 6-7 months of the year. North Springfield Action Group (NoSAG) has been opposing the project from the start. A handout at the meeting showed the project would heavily increase traffic in Springfield. About 200 tractor trailers would drive into and out of the plant everyday. The plant would also harm the environment-using 550 cords of wood per day, which equates to about 20,000 acres of wood per year. But proponents say the plant would offer a huge economic benefit to the Chester-Springfield region, creating many new sustainable jobs. The plant would also benefit local loggers, foresters and truckers and even, perhaps, Wilkins’ business. “It would create a local market. There’s always a need for that,” said Wilkins. Springfield resident Henry Kraft was asked how quickly a forest could re-grow after it is cut down. Some trees cut on Town Farm Road and replanted years ago are now dying, explained Kraft. According to Wilkins, re-growth can take between 80 and 300 years. Trees re-grow faster when they are clean cut, but clean cutting wouldn’t make sense for the type of wood in Vermont. “Clean-cutting makes a lot of sense for some areas. But it doesn’t make sense for the mixed-aged, mixed- hardwood-softwoods like we have here,” he said. On the applicant’s proposal, it says the project would utilize a renewable wood chip fuel resource and promote sustainable forestry within the region of Vermont. It also says the project is in accordance with state policy goals as it is a “renewable, sustainable, green power.” But, attendees at the meeting weren’t convinced. “You know, I could step on the other side of things and say, “This will be the greatest thing in Springfield since…the popsicle factory,” joked Wilkins. Two days of testimony will occur April 1 and 2. For more information, visit www.nosagvt.org. * BY KATY SAVAGE The Shopper