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.