Biomass Coming To Connecticut

May 10, Plainfield – The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) has agreed to provide a loan of up to $500,000 to Norwalk-based Plainfield Renewable Energy LLC for the development of a 30-megawatt, wood-fueled biomass plant. The facility, expected to be completed in late 2008, will produce enough power to provide electricity for 25,000 households, will be located in Plainfield. Plainfield Renewable Energy is a joint venture between Florida-based Decker Energy International and Norwalk-based NuPower LLC.

Biomass is wood from tree thinning, pallets and recycled waste wood. The power production technology is a fluidized bed staged gasification system that generates steam to drive a conventional steam turbine generator. This advanced technology will make it one of the cleanest biomass power facilities in the U.S.

The facility will be located on 29 acres of industrial-zoned land in Plainfield. Previously a Superfund location, this site has been fully remediated and will now significantly contribute to Plainfield’s tax base. The Project will also create a positive economic impact in Plainfield and Eastern Connecticut by generating several hundred construction jobs over an estimated 18-month period. Once up and running, the Project will provide 20-25 steady, well-paid permanent positions at the facility. Up to 100 more jobs will be created in supporting businesses throughout the region.

Here are some other benefits of the project:

Answers Connecticut's energy needs using indigenous, renewable resources.
Utilizes waste wood that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Reduces dependence on scarce natural gas sources.
Meets or exceeds all federal environmental performance requirements.
Substantially lowers levels of sulfur preventing production of acid rain.
Recycles atmospheric carbon; does not add to the greenhouse effect.

Sources: The Hartford Business Journal, Plainfield Renewable Energy