Domtar, We Energies to Build Biomass-Fueled Power Plant Project at Rothschild Mill

Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada, this week reported that it will participate with Wisconsin Electric Power Co. (We Energies) to build a $255 million biomass power plant at Domtar's Rothschild, Wis., USA, paper mill. The company's board of directors has approved revised agreements with We Energies and the Wisconsin PSC to allow the project to move forward. Construction is expected to begin soon, with site preparation underway this week. The Boldt Co. of Appleton is the construction manager and general contractor, and Poyry Group is the architect and engineering firm working on the project.

"This project is an innovative way to improve our mill's competitiveness and environmental performance while providing more green power to the State of Wisconsin," said John D. Williams, president and CEO of Domtar. "Wood is a renewable resource that can be used for producing pulp, paper, and electricity, and we are proud to leverage our expertise in sustainable fiber procurement." The project is expected to create some 400 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs in the surrounding community, including jobs for independent wood suppliers and haulers. Wood, waste wood, and sawdust will be used to produce 50 MW of green electricity for the grid and to support Domtar's papermaking operations in Rothschild under a steam supply agreement. The project will result in a highly efficient use of biomass resources and Domtar mill's infrastructure while allowing Domtar to retire less efficient boilers, virtually eliminating its use of fossil fuels at the mill. The construction is expected to take 30 months for a startup by the end of the third quarter of 2013. Domtar is approximately 75% energy self-sufficient across its North American manufacturing footprint of 13 pulp and paper mills. The average Domtar pulp and paper facility draws approximately 87% of its thermal energy (energy required to make steam) from renewable fuels such as biomass and spent cooking liquor.

The photo below illustrates the $255 million biomass plant that will be built at Domtar's mill in Rothschild.

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