- GET INVOLVED!Here's how you can help bring the Fair Haven Energy Center to Vermont:
Outlook: Businesses sign letter in support of biomass plant
From Green Mountain Outlook, 4/9/12
Fair Haven, Vt. — Three dozen businesses have signed a letter asking state and utility leaders to support the proposed Fair Haven Energy Center project to be located along Route 4 near the State of Vermont’s Fair Haven Welcome Center.
The proposed Energy Center is a 29.5 MW woody biomass power plant that will produce reliable baseload power for 34,000 homes, combined with a pellet production plant that would produce 110,000 tons of clean burning wood pellets each year. In addition, the plant will offer a heat source for a large scale greenhouse or other local food production center.
These businesses have come together to support the project because they understand that the two-year construction phase of the project will bring 1000 jobs to the area, as well as $1.1 million in annual property taxes. In addition $32 million/year is projected for annual operational spending. The project will also bring 50 jobs at the plant, 180 jobs in the woods, and hundreds of “multiplier” jobs throughout the community. [...]
Continue reading
Letter from Fair Haven Selectboard to Legislators
Click for a larger version
Continue reading
VPR News: Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, 7:34 a.m.
Peter Biello, Produced by Melody Bodette
Listen to it here (Fair Haven Energy Center story starts at 3:22)
[...] A proposed biomass energy plant in the town of Fair Haven has received the air pollution control permit it needs from the state of Vermont.[...]
Continue reading
Herald: Fair Haven Biomass plant secures air permit
Full Article on the Rutland Herald website (paywall)
By Lucia Suarez
STAFF WRITER – Published: February 16, 2012
FAIR HAVEN — The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently issued an air pollution control construction permit for a proposed biomass and energy center in Fair Haven. The permit, issued on Feb. 10, is the first air permit issued for a large-scale biomass plant in the state in at least 20 years.
Developer Tom Emero of Beaver Wood Energy said the construction permit is a credit to the quality of the of the project they have proposed as it has met some of the most stringent environmental standards for this type of project.
“We are very excited to have the air permit,” he said Wednesday. “(With the permit) other people now recognize the quality of this project we are bringing.” Continue reading
Banner: UPDATE – Fair Haven biomass project receives air pollution control permit
From the Bennington Banner Keith Whitcomb Jr – 02/15/2012 FAIR HAVEN – A biomass project proposed for Fair Haven has received a necessary air quality control permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The plant is being proposed by … Continue reading
Air Pollution Control Permit Approved for Fair Haven Energy Center
First air permit issued for large-scale electricity plant in 20 years
Montpelier, Vt. – The Fair Haven Energy Center, a renewable energy facility proposed for Fair Haven, Vt., has received an air quality permit from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT-DEC). This permit confirms the air safety of the Fair Haven Energy Center.
The permit is the first issued to a combined electric generating and pellet manufacturing facility anywhere in the U.S., and the first issued in Vermont to an electricity generating plant of its size in 20 years.
“Receiving this permit is a credit to the incredibly advanced technology we are bringing to bear on this project,” said Managing Partner Tom Emero, of Beaver Wood Energy, developer of the project.
“Our proposed facility is one of the most advanced in the nation and will provide clean, renewable energy for Vermont once constructed. Vermont has very stringent pollution controls and standards. If our plant meets with approval here, it’ll get approval anywhere.”
There were no negative comments during the VT-DEC public meeting on October 13, a rarity in Vermont’s permitting landscape. The Fair Haven Energy Center – slated for construction in Fair Haven, Vt. – has strong and vocal support from the townspeople.
“This permit and project are good news for our community,” said Rep. William Canfield, R-Fair Haven. “There was no local opposition to the Fair Haven Energy Center air permit and that’s significant. Our area needs the jobs promised by this renewable energy project.”
“The community of Fair Haven has really come together on this project,” said Sen. William Carris, D-Rutland. “The Fair Haven Energy Center will create jobs and improve the health of our forests. It will also increase Rutland County’s self-sufficiency, help combat climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
The project will create at least 230 permanent jobs in the Rutland area as well as generate $1.1 million in property taxes for the town. It will also generate millions of dollars in state revenue.
In addition to employing at least 50 full-time staff at the facility and adding 140 jobs in the forest services sector, the Fair Haven Energy Center will generate hundreds of jobs from the $32 million annual operating budget over the 40 year useful life of the facility as well as the nearly 1,000 jobs required to build the facility over a 24-month construction period.
“This energy plant will bring many good jobs to Rutland County. The clean air permit is a big step forward and we’re eager to see this project move forward,” said Senator Peg Flory, R-Pittsford.
The Fair Haven Energy Center boasts a biomass electric plant, wood pellet manufacturing plant, plus space for local food growers or other manufacturers with an available steady supply of inexpensive heat.
“Our aim is to produce local, renewable, base-load power for the area,” said Emero. “This clean air permit brings us one step closer to achieving that goal.”
VTDigger: Biomass report draws ire of foresters and environmentalists
by Andrew Nemethy | December 8, 2011
Full Article on vtdigger.org
MONTPELIER – The final draft of a report to the Legislature on the use of woody biomass in the state of Vermont won praise, vehement condemnation and everything in between Tuesday night.
A 15-member panel established by the 2009 Legislature met 27 times over three years to develop 45 recommendations and a lengthy and in-depth report on the benefits and risks of using woody biomass — pellets and wood chips harvested from low-grade wood, blowdowns and logging residues such as tree tops. It also tackled the issue of what standards, guidelines and actions the state should take.
[...]
Continue reading
Public Hearing on Biomass Energy Development – Dec 6, Montpelier
The Biomass Energy Development Working Group (BioE Working Group) will hold a public hearing to take comment on the draft 2012 Final Report of the BioE Working Group, which addresses the promotion and development of the state’s woody biomass industry while maintaining the health of the forests of Vermont.
The public hearing will be Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Room 11 of the Vermont State House at 133 State Street in Montpelier.
Members of the public are invited to attend the public hearing and to provide oral or written testimony to the BioE Working Group at the hearing. Written comments on the draft final report may be submitted by December 12, 2011 to the attention of the BioE Working Group by e-mail at aadler@leg.state.vt.us or by U.S. mail at the above address. Please include the phrase “BioE Report” in the subject line.
Read all the details here
Continue reading
Biomass Energy Development Working Group – draft 2012 Final Report
The Biomass Energy Development Working Group has released their draft final report for public review.
- Read it here.
- Submit YOUR written comments by December 12th. Read this document for information on how.
- Forestry Workers click here.