BioMASSupdate NL fuNds peLLet pLaNt St. John’s, NL – The provincial government is backing a multi- million dollar proposal that will modernize a sawmill and establish a wood inventory yard and pellet facility on the Northern Peninsula. The $10-million investment in Holson Forest Products of Roddickton will sustain approximately 300 direct and indirect jobs in the region and create a new industry in man- ufacturing wood pellets. Under the Forest Industry Diversifica- tion Fund of the Department of Natural Resources, the company will receive a $7-million loan, to be repaid over a 15-year period, as well as a $2-million grant. The Department of Environment and Conservation will also invest $1 million under its Green Fund towards the establishment of the wood pellet facility. “This region of the province has been particularly hard hit in recent years as a result of the clo- sure of two pulp and paper mills and the idling of a paper machine at the mill in Corner Brook,” said the Honourable Kathy Dunder- dale, minister of natural resources and minister responsible for the forestry and agrifoods agency. “We have been working with in- dustry to identify new markets to sustain the forest industry in this region and we believe Holson’s multi-phase proposal will carve a new future for the forest sector on the Northern Peninsula.” Holson will establish a regional NipissiNg Biomass iNNovatioN CeNtre BorN North Bay, ON – North Bay is about to become a destination for information on biomass renewable heating and energy as Nipissing University launches its Biomass In- novation Centre. The centre was established in spring 2009 with financial support from Ontario’s Community Go Green Fund and Nipissing University. Developed by the university’s School of Business and Econom- ics, the Centre aims to provide informational resources, educa- tion, and technology transfer about biomass heating and energy to building professionals, engineers, and researchers. Biomass heating is already commonplace in the Netherlands and United King- dom. Following Europe’s lead, the Biomass Innovation Centre will help develop the infrastructure for this new industry using existing resources in forestry, commerce, and trade. “We have an exciting oppor- tunity to use a clean, renewable source of fuel in our backyards,” says project manager Pauline Ro- chefort, “so why not do all we can to develop an industry of our own making and help create jobs?” Ro- chefort estimates that wood pellet production can help stimulate at least 600 jobs in the region given the right circumstances. Rochefort adds that the real advantage of the centre is its ability to join research with practical application. At the university, Forest Bio- products Research Chair Dr. Jeff Dech is involved in an extensive study to predict the location, quality, and quantity of biomass for viable heating and energy ap- plications. Rochefort explains that, “Given the tremendous utility our region has for wood products, it’s evident we can develop a supply chain and work with manufactur- ers to bring all the necessary com- ponents of bioenergy to northern Ontario.” wood inventory yard, which will allow harvesting to begin on the Northern Peninsula this season. The inventory of fibre will serve as feedstock for the proposed wood pellet facility when it starts production in the spring of 2010. The wood inventory yard will maintain direct employment in the industry for about 130 people. Sawmill modernization and the establishment of a pellet plant will create an additional 22 jobs. “I am ecstatic we have our forest industry back!” says Ted Lewis, president of Holson Forest Products. “This is a great day for the industry on the Northern Peninsula and in particular for Holson Forest Products. We see this as an opportunity to develop Pellet mills like this will soon be part of the landscape in Newfoundland as the province struggles to replace its pulp and paper sector. a long-term, independent busi- ness from a sustainable resource. Government’s commitment to this sector breathes new life into this area and is giving us an opportu- nity to diversify our industry for a new and exciting future.” CorNer Brook distriCt heatiNg projeCt progresses engineering study will bring Corner Brook another step closer to an innovative, economically efficient and environmentally friendly District Energy Systems (DES) for the city. The DES, also referred to as district heat- ing systems, provides energy in the form of hot water, steam, or chilled water through underground pipelines to businesses and residential neighbourhoods from a common energy source. The benefits of such systems include reduced energy costs, use of an industrial waste source, reduced greenhouse gases, and improved energy efficiency. “District heating systems are renowned for reduced S energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, two very important environmental consider- ations,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, minister of environment and conservation. “A major employer in the area, the paper mill is also a potential low-cost source of thermal energy. The engineering study will focus on the design of the heating system within the con- text of the city layout and help this worthwhile project move one step closer to fruition.” canadianBIOMASS 5 t. John’s, NL – With assistance of $125,000 from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund, an
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