Blog

The plug has been pulled on Indeck Energy Services Inc. Biomass Plant in Alexandria, NH. A weak wholesale market and low reimbursement rates under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law are the key factors driving this biomass plant to shut down by month’s end.

Back in February, HB 225 threatened to repeal NH’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program which is essential in keeping Biomass Plants throughout New Hampshire operating. The RPS supports solar, hydro, geothermal, wind and other renewable technologies.

Wood Ash has been used by farmers to improve soil and crop production for centuries. However, wood ash was not available as a commodity for large-scale use until the 1980s when several wood-fired electrical-generating power plants were built throughout the Northeast. The benefits of these wood-fired power plants were two-fold: the production of local, clean, renewable energy, and the other product generated – organic wood ash. Wood Ash is the perfect product for Northeastern soils because it is a natural, local fertilizer that has the added benefit of fast-acting lime.

The shutting down of this biomass plant has consequences towards suppliers, certain vendors and most importantly the employees. It is a sad day in the biomass world to have a plant shut down and hopefully Indeck, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association and other groups can work to get the state to recognize the importance of the RPS for all of New Hampshire.

Over the past few months, aging water and wastewater infrastructure has been a large topic of discussion throughout New Hampshire and all over the United States. In order to supply water to homes and businesses, the US depends on a network of underground pipes, which at this point are all aging and have exceeded the end of their useful life. Unfortunately, these improvements seem to go untouched because there is little to no funding for the work that needs to be done.

On March 8, 2017 the New Hampshire Water Pollution Control Association (NHWPCA) and New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) held their annual Water’s Worth It! Legislative Breakfast that brings together water and wastewater professionals and New Hampshire Legislators to talk about the importance of clean water and the need to update the infrastructure. The meeting was well attended with over 35 legislatures and over 50 water and wastewater professionals. Senator Jeanne Shaheen was unable to attend but she supplied the organizations with a video voicing her stance on the matter and advocating for the need to update the infrastructure throughout New Hampshire.

Also in New Hampshire this week, John Boisvert Chief Engineer at Pennichuck Water and a Commissioner at the Water Sustainability Commission, Jim Gallagher Chief Engineer at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services and Fred McNeill  Chief Engineer at the Environmental Protection Division of the City of Manchester talked with Laura Knoy from New Hampshire Public Radio’s (NHPR) The Exchange. They talked about how New Hampshire’s wastewater and dam infrastructure are old, crumbling, and vulnerable to severe weather. Intense storms, flooding, and drought have all contributed to the damage, and many of our dams and underground pipes are over 100 years old.

According to the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card released by the American Society of Civil Engineers the United States (ASCE) scored a D in drinking water and a D+ in wastewater infrastructure.

The ASCE estimates that the wastewater infrastructure throughout the United States exceeds $271 billion

Radhika Fox, CEO of the US Water Alliance, said: “Water is essential to everything we do. Every community in the country relies on drinking water and wastewater service, and many sectors of our economy are completely reliant on water as well. A D and D+ are daunting grades, but I am optimistic about our future because I see the innovative work of the members of the US Water Alliance every day.”

Fox continued: “I want to thank the ASCE for its steadfast work to shine a light on the incredibly important issue of infrastructure investment. It was a topic that was overlooked for far too long, but we believe is starting to get the attention it deserves. This report reinforces the fact that we need to make reinvesting in water a national priority.”

So what can we do to fix the problem? Both Governor Sununu and President Trump have laid out plans to funnel more money into infrastructure, specifically roads and bridges, but engineers and water and wastewater professionals worry that not enough money will be directed towards water infrastructure. Until, we see money start to trickle in the best way to improve the situation is through awareness and education.

Wood ash has been used by farmers to improve soil and crop production for centuries. However, wood ash was not available as a commodity for large-scale use until the 1980s when several wood-fired electrical-generating power plants were built throughout the Northeast. The benefits of these wood-fired power plants were two-fold: the production of local, clean, renewable energy, and the other product generated – organic wood ash. Wood Ash is the perfect product for Northeastern soils because it is a natural, local fertilizer that has the added benefit of fast-acting lime.

Right now, wood ash and Biomass Plants throughout New Hampshire are facing a challenge. HB 225 is threatening to repeal NH’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program which is essential in keeping Biomass Plants throughout New Hampshire operating. It also supports solar, hydro, geothermal, wind and other renewable technologies.

Yesterday, Shelagh Connelly and Charley Hanson from RMI, along with 50 other people testified, while over 125 people traveled to the Concord State House to support the RPS. RMI supplied informational handouts and sample bags of Wood Ash from local Biomass Plants to the committee who were thrilled to see the product close up.

Spread the word and read more about HB 225 and NH’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program below:

http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx?sy=2017&id=327&txtFormat=html

In 2002, The International Union of Soil Sciences proposed that the 5^th of December be World Soil Day (WSD) and should be dedicated to celebrating the importance of soils. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the “Global Soil Partnership”, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have turned WSD into a worldwide platform to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our day-to-day lives. The FAO held a conference in June 2013 that focused solely around World Soil Day and in December of 2013 the 68^th UN General Assembly officially declared December 5^th as the World Soil Day!

Head over to our Facebook page to be entered to win an “I Heart Soil” T-shirt and to spread the word!

For more information about WSD head over to the Food and Agricultural Organization website here! 

 

Public Outreach

Partnering with Concord, NH to spread the biosolids love!

Welcome Steve Nurme to RMI!

RMI is pleased to welcome Steve Nurme to our team as the Sales Manager. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Plymouth State University and has over 20 years of sales experience. Steve is excited to lead the RMI Sales Team as we grow and reach out to more and more customers across the northeast.

His goal is to provide solutions for Building Healthy Soils.  Steve has a strong Sales Team covering all types of customers including farmers, gravel pit owners, golf courses, topsoil purveyors, compost facilities, road construction crews, athletic fields, and even a few landowners that want specialized food plots to attract deer on their woodlots.

Steve and his wife Jen along with their three boys and two dogs reside in New London, New Hampshire.  When he is not with his family or working at RMI, Steve can be found coaching ice hockey or playing guitar in a local band. He is an eclectic guy.

Contact Steve:

steve.nurme@rmirecycles.com

603-748-6356

Littleton Goes Green

The Town of Littleton, NH has shifted from disposal to recycling of their biosolids.  On August 1^st they began a partnership with RMI which is a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable option for managing the solids from their wastewater treatment facility (WWTF).  And by shifting to recycling the Town is expected to save $17,000 annually!

The biosolids from the Littleton WWTF are transported to the RMI facility in New Hampton and are processed with wood ash from biomass power plants. The biosolids and wood ash are blended together and the final product is sold to farmers for spreading on corn and hay fields to meet their nitrogen and potassium fertilizer needs.  Biosolids replenish the soil and provide important nutrients for improving crop yields.

Biosolids recycling is a win-win for municipalities and the farmers that choose to use this valuable fertilizer.  The Town of Littleton is committed to sustainability and this expansion of recycling demonstrates their triple net bottom line for benefitting the environment, community, and the economy.

Planning Ahead for Spring

“Taking a soil sample is an important step in determining what your fields need”

The health of your soil will de-termine how successful your crop will grow. RMI wants to ensure hardy crop growth based on balanced soil fertility and organic matter. Make sure your fields are sampled and analyzed to get the most out of your soils. If you are planning to order any Heart & Soil Agri-cultural Products from RMI, then let us get your fields sam-pled so we can help you deter-mine what is needed for your cropping plan.

Get ready for the planting and growing season the right way and have RMI take a soil sample of your fields! Our qualified Field Services Team will come out to your farm and take soil samples. RMI sends the samples to an inde-pendent lab for analysis, and then will supply you with a nutrient management recommendation for each field. This recommendation can be used to determine which products will work best for your soil health and crop yields.

 

Spreader Rentals!

To help with you application needs RMI has 4 spreaders that can be rented when purchasing Heart & Soil® Ag. Products:

• Adams Pull Type Hydraulic Driven Litter Spreader with a 20 ton capacity
• Two 2016 Stoltfuz Bulk Material Spreaders with 8 ton capacity
• 2015 Stoltfuz Spreader with 4 ton spreading capacity

 

 

New Logo Coming Soon!

RMI has been building healthy soils since November 1994. After 22 years we are changing things up just a bit. So next time you see us we will have a whole new logo! Here’s a sneak peak at the future of RMI!