by jboullion | Sep 22, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a news release by Dairyland Power:
Methane digester located in Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s service territory
LA CROSSE, WI— Dairyland Power Cooperative has signed an agreement with Bush Brothers & Co. to purchase the renewable energy and capacity from a new anaerobic wastewater system located in Augusta, Wis. The system will be served by Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, a Dairyland member.
Construction on the renewable energy facility is nearing completion, and commercial operation is expected in early 2012.
“It is a significant milestone when three entities work together to create yet another renewable energy facility for the benefit of the communities we all serve. Renewable energy facilities, including the new one at the Bush Brothers facility at Augusta, have added a positive element to the way we provide electricity for our co-op members,” said Eau Claire Energy Cooperative CEO and President Lynn Thompson.
The digester plant at the industrial wastewater facility is designed to process biogas produced in a covered lagoon to power a 635 kW generator. This is projected to produce enough renewable energy to power nearly 500 homes in the Dairyland system.
“The anaerobic digester represents a responsible method for handling plant waste and we are glad to have it as a part of our manufacturing process,” said Joe Breid, Director of Operations for the Bush Brothers plant in Augusta.
Once operational, the Bush Brothers facility will represent the seventh methane digester within the Dairyland system, and the first industrial use. The first six digester f if acilities are “cow power” plants, utilizing dairy cow manure as the source from which methane gas is derived to fuel the generators and create renewable energy. . . .
About Bush Brothers
Founded in 1908, Bush Brothers & Company is a privately owned food processor headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. Best known for their baked beans, Bush’s also offers more than 30 varieties of canned beans including kidney, pinto and black. Bush Brothers & Company is still family owned and operated, working for the same ideals that were set forth by A.J. Bush more than 100 years ago – ensuring the highest quality and best taste can be found in all their products. Bush’s sells one-third of all canned beans in the U.S., making it the top bean brand in the country. Its signature commercials of Jay Bush and his Golden Retriever, Duke, have made Bush’s Beans a familiar household name. For more information, visit www.bushbeans.com.
by jboullion | Aug 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Kathleen Foody in the Stevens Point Journal:
ROTHSCHILD — Village residents and commuters on Business Highway 51 can expect traffic snarls as about 150 trucks hauling construction materials pour in and out of the Domtar paper mill today.
Rothschild Police Chief Dean Albrecht said Boldt Construction, the Appleton firm overseeing construction of a $255 million biomass power plant on Domtar’s site, asked his department to help control traffic during today’s work.
Officers will be at the intersection of Business Highway 51 and Weston Avenue from 5 a.m. until about 2 p.m. to help out, Albrecht said.
“We think traffic will go pretty smoothly; maybe some congestion during rush hour between 6 and 8 (a.m.),” he said.
We Energies spokesman Brian Manthey said crews will spend today pouring the foundation for the large boiler that will burn material at the plant, requiring the procession of trucks carrying materials.
Manthey said the traffic will be spaced out, with two or three trucks carrying material from County Materials plant locations in Wausau, Weston and Merrill entering or exiting the construction site at a time.
Once complete, the plant will burn about 500,000 tons of the tops and limbs of trees to generate energy for sale by We Energies and steam for Domtar’s paper-making process at the existing Rothschild mill. The plant is intended to help We Energies comply with state regulations requiring at least 8 percent of utilities’ sales to come from renewable energy sources by 2015.
To qualify for federal tax credits, the facility must be operational by the end of 2013.
by jboullion | Jul 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Ashland Current:
The Lakewoods Resort is receiving a clean energy award from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett announced the $163,650 award on Wednesday. The award stems from the resort installing a bioenergy heating project, where the resort will use locally-produced wood pellets and wood chips from nearby forests to fuel its heating system. The resort is retiring an old propane boiler system and upgrading to a commercial-scale pellet boiler, which will be completed by December 2012.
According to the Department of Tourism, the project is expected to save the resort about $72,000 in fossil fuel costs in its first year of use.
“I am pleased that one of our most prominent resorts located in the Chequamegon National Forest will be investing in a local renewable energy source,” Klett said. “The project will protect the natural beauty of northern Wisconsin, provide local jobs, and invest in Wisconsin’s renewable resources.”
The use of wood biomass can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a commercial facility, the department reports.
by jboullion | Jul 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Kathleen Foody in Central Wisconsin Business:
ROTHSCHILD — The long public debate over a proposed biomass power plant in Rothschild came to an end Monday [June 20] when Domtar announced plans to move forward with the $255 million project.
The 50-megawatt power plant, a joint effort of Milwaukee utility We Energies and Domtar paper, is expected to burn 500,000 tons of the tops and limbs of trees left behind by traditional logging operations each year.
“(The final decision) puts … everything behind us,” Rothschild Village Board President George Peterson said. “We can move forward, We Energies and Domtar can move forward.”
We Energies spokesman Brian Manthey said crews will begin working this week at the site adjacent to the existing Domtar mill on Business Highway 51 in Rothschild.
Manthey said We Energies still hopes to have the plant completed by the end of 2013, the eligibility deadline for federal tax credits. The facility also is part of We Energies’ plan to comply with state regulations requiring at least 8 percent of utilities’ sales to come from renewable energy by 2015.
by jboullion | Jun 28, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Marshfield News Herald:
Rothschild residents seeking a second review of the wood-burning power plant in Rothschild filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state Department of Natural Resources.
Opponents of the project hope to force the DNR to re-evaluate emissions expected to come from the facility.
Save Our Air Resources filed the suit in Marathon County Circuit Court one day after Domtar decided to go forward with the project and comply with state regulator’s requirements.
