Maine state regulators approve $13 million biomass subsidy

A ruling by a state panel in Maine appears poised to help keep four biomass energy plants in that state operating into 2017 and 2018.

According to an online report on the Maine Public website, Maine legislators approved a subsidy plan in April of 2016 and assigned the state’s Public Utilities Commission to work out the details.

In mid-December 2016, the commission has approved a $13 million subsidy plan that accepts bids from two companies that operate two biomass plants each.

Re-Energy Holdings LLC, Latham, New York, and France-based Stored Solar LLC, which owns plants under the Capergy name, each have been awarded two-year contracts to accept subsidies to keep those plants productive.

Re-Energy’s plants are in Fort Fairfield and Ashland, Maine. The Capergy plants in West Enfield and Jonesboro, Maine, have been idle since the spring of 2016 but will reopen upon receipt of the state subsidy.

The Stored Solar/Capergy plants were purchased by the French firm in October 2016 from their previous operator Covanta of Morristown, New Jersey.

A mid-December news report by the Bangor Daily News says Stored Solar has been indicating the two biomass plants will serve as the beginning of a larger investment in the state.

The newspaper says in a September 2016 presentation to a trade group, Stored Solar says its plan “calls for the repurposing of existing sites as energy parks, aquaculture, greenhouses and biofuel manufacturing facilities.” That statement can be found on the website of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine.

The Forest Resources Association of Maine has reported in its December 2016 newsletter that Stored Solar has begun buying wood fuel for both biomass plants and the company intends to restart them before the end of 2016, according to the Daily News.

“In addition to the existing biomass energy plants, Stored Solar LLC is seeking heat and steam users to co-locate at the facilities and is pursuing funding for a biorefinery,” the newsletter states, according to the Daily News.