Plenty of other economic synergies in play here, IMO.
Thank you BBF for your review and summary. Many here appreciate your efforts. Predicting the exact outcome and timing of the PUC decision is very difficult. I'm hoping it's POSITIVE and SOON. Not sure about the possibility of appeal and more stalling, though.
If approved, there WILL BE construction required ... not sure how long it will take ... I'll leave that to those more technically informed ... like WOODBURNER. We have 200+ papermakers out of work and many of them have trade skills (welders, pipefitters, electricians, etc.) that could be immediately available to assist.
There has also been an announcement of a company interested in locating adjacent to the biomass plant. I believe that to be ITACONIX (another poster has also mentioned this). Check out their web site. They have licensed the process to produce polyitaconic acid which involves the extraction of sugars from hardwood. The process was discovered at UNH and I believe ITACONIX is currently operating on grant funds. Polyitaconic acid would be used as a "green" ingredient for cleansers and baby diapers, etc. This certainly seems like a logical fit for Laidlaw in Berlin. If you think about it, why not in other Laidlaw locations also!
Many remember that Laidlaw also signed an agreement to provide power and/or steam and/or hot water to the paper mill located a couple of miles south from the biomass plant. The mill is now owned by Counsel RB Partners and they are looking for partners to provide operating capital. Does the biomass project strengthen or weaken their possibility of success????? Seems obvious to me, especially in light of the overwhelming support of the local union officials. Getting the paper mill back into production would mean 200+ more local jobs!!!
Heck, while I'm at it ... why not have them produce the paper used to make the "green" baby diapers ~ LOL.
All of this solely IMO, of course ... spend too much time pondering, I guess. Upside sure seems to outweigh the downside here.
Bottom line ... go LLEG , GLTA and LLLL.
