August 6, 2010
Nippon Paper plans CHP biomass plant at its Port Angeles Mill New state‐of‐the‐art boiler and 20MW turbine generator. Creates 20 new forest jobs. Nippon Paper Group, Tokyo Japan announced today the board approval of a new Green Energy Project at its Port Angeles, WA paper mill. The new boiler will replace the mill’s existing 50 year old boiler, produce 20MW of renewable power and create 20 new forest jobs. The plant is capable of being powered by 100% biomass. This will be a combined heat and power (CHP) project which is the sequential production of two forms of useful energy from a single fuel source. The steam will spin the turbine‐generator and the thermal energy will be used for paper production. The announcement was made by Harold Norlund, Port Angeles Mill Manager. “We are grateful for the privilege of making paper in this community for nearly 90 years. Today we announce the investment of $71 million dollars in our community. The co‐generation of steam and electricity from this project will take our business to a new and more sustainable level and allow us to continue to improve our paper making business.” Earlier this year, Nippon Paper Industries USA (NPIUSA) was selected by State Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as one of four Forest Biomass Initiative partners to utilize forest residuals from State lands for green energy projects on a pilot basis. Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D‐Sequim, was a key sponsor of HB‐2481 passed by the legislature this last session. The bill allows the DNR to study the capabilities of Washington’s forests to supply forest slash and other forest biomass for renewable energy projects and to partner on forest biomass for demonstration projects. The DNR’s initiative will develop the State’s ability to support bioenergy and biofuel projects with forest resources. “This project will create over 20 new jobs in our community through the harvesting of forest residual biomass that would otherwise be left in the woods or burned in slash piles. Our forest residual supply partners will be able to meet the additional supply through innovation and expansion of their existing businesses. This will benefit not only our business but also those of the surrounding community” said Harold Norlund. The project will result in design and construction jobs in foundation, boiler and building construction at the Port Angeles mill. The mill’s original main boiler was built in the 1950’s and is fueled by oil and biomass. The new boiler will produce more steam than the previous one, enough to supply the paper mill and a 20MW turbine generator. The power produced by this boiler will be sold as renewable energy that meets the requirements of the renewable energy portfolio standards passed in many
States, including I‐937 passed by Washington voters. Since 2000, NPIUSA has steadily reduced its dependence upon fossil fuels, and resultant carbon emissions per ton of paper, by 88%. The new co‐generation (CHP) project allows further reductions of fossil fuels responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and also results in improved air quality because of the newest emission control technologies. NPIUSA operates a 155,000 ton per year lightweight uncoated mechanical paper mill in Port Angeles, WA producing paper for telephone directories and other commercial products from recycled old newspapers and telephone directories and locally available residual sawmill fiber. These paper products can be chain‐of‐custody certified as sustainable to either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certifications (PEFC). Wood products originating from sustainably managed and certified forests and recycled fiber that meet the FSC or PEFC standards are authorized to use the label. The mill has been in existence since 1920 and has 200 employees. It will be celebrating its 90th anniversary later this year. Mill Manager Harold Norlund stated there is much support for the project from the Local and National AWPPW Union, elected officials, the City of Port Angeles, businesses and residents in the area. “The confidence that Nippon Paper Group has in our abilities in the Port Angeles Mill is truly appreciated. We will pay back that trust by running a responsible operation that pays dividends to our company and community.” The project will commence construction once all applicable environmental studies and permits are in place later this year. The new boiler is expected to be ready for testing in the second quarter of 2012. More Information: Harold Norlund, Mill Manager, biomass@npiusa.com Aaron Toso, Washington DNR, aaron.toso@dnr.wa.gov