Reaction mixed to Laidlaw mill property acquisition
BY BARBARA TETREAULT
BERLIN — The news that Laidlaw Energy has
completed its acquisition of the former mill boiler
and 60 acres of land drew a mixed reaction yesterday.
Berlin Mayor David Bertrand said he continues
to oppose Laidlaw’s plan to convert the boiler into a
66-megawatt biomass plant because he feels it is not
the best use for the site.
“I’m not in favor of this project. I don’t think it’s
the right thing for Berlin,” he said.
Barry Kelley, owner of White Mountain Lumber,
said he is happy to see the project moving forward.
“I think this is a really good thing,” he said.
Laidlaw President Michael Bartoszek said his
company completed the purchase of the boiler and
land from North American Dismantling just before
Christmas.
“We are pleased to have concluded this transaction,
which will allow these assets to be put to good
use in support of clean energy and the economic
recovery of the North Country,” said Bartoszek.
Bertrand, who ran for mayor as an opponent of the
Laidlaw project, said he is not against biomass. He
is opposed to locating a plant on the mill property in
the center of the downtown.
“I think that site could be put to better use,” he
said.
Bertrand said he feels that continuing to use the
site for heavy industry precludes opportunities for
commercial and tourism development. He said manufacturing
jobs are declining in this country.
He also questions whether there is suffi cient wood
for all of the projects planned for the county.
Kelley said he is happy that Laidlaw has purchased
the boiler and land.
“Now they’re a stake holder here in town,” he
said.
Kelley said the biomass plant will not produce
either the smell or noise long associated with the
pulp mill. He said the hot water and steam produced
as a byproduct of the biomass operation should be
easy to market. He noted Laidlaw already has an
agreement to sell hot water to the Fraser mill in
Gorham which may help that mill remain in operation.
Kelley said the Laidlaw plant will create about 40
good paying jobs and will pay property taxes.
Kelley agrees there is not enough wood to feed the
remaining paper mills and all the projects proposed
for the North Country. Plans have been announced
for at least two biomass plants, two wood pellet facilities,
and a number of district heating projects.
He noted the paper industry is a cyclical business
and that impacts the availability of wood. Right now
the industry is in a downturn, and wood yards are
full.
The mill site is zoned industrial business. Last
June, the city council passed a resolution requiring
all energy projects to get a special exception from the
zoning board. But because the Laidlaw plant will be
over 30 megawatts, City Planner Pamela Lafl amme
said it falls under the jurisdiction of the state Site
Evaluation Committee. Lafl amme said the SEC is
suppose to consider the wishes of the community
among other considerations in ruling on applications.
Bertrand said the city will carefully watch the
permitting process and will act accordingly.
“They’ve still got a long way to go,” he noted.
Tonight, the planning board is scheduled to begin
site plan review for the other company hoping to
locate a biomass plant in Berlin. Clean Power Development
has an application to construct a 22 to 27
megawatt plan near the city’s waste water treatment
plan. Clean Power has an option to purchase
the land from the city.
AI
