ROTHSCHILD (WAOW) -
We're
getting our first look at a new biomass plant in Rothschild. The
plant is set to open by the end of the year. But on Thursday, project
leaders opened up the site for an inside look at how it's coming
along.
For
two years construction at Rothschild's Biomass Plant has been in full
swing. When it's finished the $255 million dollar project will be one
of the largest biomass plants in the state.
"We're
on time, we're on budget," CEO of We Energies, Gale Klappa said.
It
started in 2009. The state required Wisconsin utilities to start
generating 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015.
That's why We Energies partnered with Domtar to build the plant.
"This
project has been built to not only provide electricity to We Energy
in a renewable form, but as a steam supply to Domtar," Terry
Carroll, Asset Manager for We Energies said.
But
what exactly is biomass? Project leaders say it's much like mulch. It's made up of parts of trees, like bark or the trunk,
after it's been chopped up. When the plant is fully functional,
biomass and the energy produced will be enough to run the entire
mill.
"The
biomass is burned in the boiler, then the boiler produces high
pressure steam. The steam turns a turbine which drives the generator
to produce electricity," Carroll explains.
Energy
officials say the project has created hundreds of new construction
jobs.
"With
the wood waste that we'll be purchasing to fuel the plant it should
create about 150 jobs in the logging and transportation industries,"
Klappa said.
But
this project was very controversial. When the project started
neighbors complained, saying it would hurt the environment.
But, plant leaders defend it.
"It's
actually reducing emissions," Klappa said.
Project
leaders say the construction of the plant is about 80% complete. But
for now construction continues on this effort to save energy and
build for the future.
