There are supporter that wield a big hammer than us; the town and the county commisssioners. Here's a post:
Posted by: MBorowski Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010 8:22:37 AM In reply to: HLH who wrote msg# 60315 Post # of 60651 [Send a link via email] [Share on Facebook] [Tweet this post] 01/14: County officials support Laidlaw project
BERLIN — The proposed Laidlaw biomass plant has the support of the Coos County Commissioners who yesterday voted to submit a letter of support to the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee.
At the same time, the commission expressed concern about the objectives of the new Coos Community Benefits Alliance.
Commissioner Paul Grenier reported that Laidlaw last month submitted its application for a certifi cate to construct and operate a 70-megawatt biomass plant on the former mill site. He said the SEC has 30 days to rule that the application is complete and then must hold a public hearing in Coos County with the next month. Grenier said it is possible the public hearing could occur before the next commissioners’ meeting. He suggested the commission vote to submit a letter of support, contingent on the application being accepted by the SEC.
Commissioner Tom Brady made a motion to have the commission write a letter of support and make a presentation in favor of the project at the public hearing. Both Grenier and Brady voted in favor – Commissioner Burnham Judd was absent.
Brady said the Laidlaw project is important to the entire county. He said he was talking to a large local logging outfi t recently and the company spoke of the need for the project. Grenier agreed that the economic impact of the Laidlaw project would extend beyond Berlin.
“It’s critical this project go forward,” he said.
Coos County Treasurer Fred King said he was quite offended to read about the recent organizational meeting of the Coos Community Benefi ts Alliance. He said the list of invitees did not include anyone from the county commission or delegation. He noted the country has been lobbying for a long time to get the electric transmission line, the so called Coos loop, upgraded. King sits on the North Country Transmission Commission established by the legislature to fi nd a solution. He said all of a sudden this new organization is interested in the expansion of the Coos loop. “What do they think we’re concerned about,” he asked. Grenier noted two Berlin city councilors were on the mailing list for the new organization and both have less than two years on the council. He said he believes the goal of the new organization is to extract and extort additional benefi ts from the biomass projects beyond the jobs created and the property tax benefits. Grenier said if that is true, he will fi ght those efforts.
King said the North Country Transmission Commission is in the process of hiring a consultant to look at options for financing an upgrade of the Coos loop. He said now it appears the group wants to slow that process down.
Grenier said he plans to initiate a letter writing campaign to the North Country Transmission Commission, supporting efforts to upgrade the Coos loop.
King said wind farms like the Granite Reliable Power project help large landowners keep their land in timber production and open to public use by providing an additional source of revenue. Unlike the past when the paper companies owned large tracts of woodlands to feed their mills, landowners today must generate revenue to offset expenses and generate a return for investors. He said allowing landowners to keep the land open and available for multi-use benefi ts the region’s economy.
Coos administrator Sue Collins said many people don’t understand that the annual payment in lieu of taxes that Granite Reliable Power will pay for its proposed wind farm in Phillips Brook will help reduce the county tax burden.
King noted officials from Coos Economic Development Corporation and Tri-County Community Action Program were at the organizational meeting of the Coos Community Benefits Alliance. He pointed out both organizations receive an appropriation from the country.
Androscoggin Valley Economic Development Director Max Makaitis thanked the commission forits support of Laidlaw and for upgrading the Coos loop. He said upgrading the loop is necessary to allow the growth of the renewable energy industry in Coos and the creation of good paying jobs with benefits.
The North Country Transmission Commission is meeting Jan. 29 in Concord. At that meeting, the commission expects to fi nalize a Request for Proposals for a consultant to develop an action plan to upgrade the Coos loop.
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