PERU – Plans for trying to develop pyrolysis production are moving faster than expected. And to try to get in on the ground floor of the new technology, the River Valley Growth Council granted permission for its economic developer to travel wherever necessary to try to work out a deal.

Pyrolysis is a process whereby trees and wood scraps can be turned into an oil suitable for use in drugs, food ingredients, cosmetics and plastics. One more step in the process can create marketable hydrogen.

Developer Scott Christiansen told the board Thursday night that plans are in the works to meet with a Canadian professor who is working on the project.

Also in the works are plans for he and RVGC President Joseph Derouche to testify in Washington on the benefits of developing the product.

He said U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, is currently setting up the Washington testimony.

Such testimony could lead to federal funds for product development.

Christiansen will also be meeting with potential corporate partners who would work with the RVGC on the project.

“Because of the speed which pyrolysis is moving, I want blanket approval to travel when needed,” he said.

He didn’t quite get blanket approval. He did get, however, approval as long as the president and vice-president of the board agree.

Seed money for travel and research came from the governor’s office. The council has $65,000 to try to get things going.

Christiansen has said that the new technology could be a perfect fit for the Western Maine area. Trees, slash and scrap wood are what is used to create an oil that can be turned into a variety of products.

The board also granted permission to buy a laptop on which Christiansen will develop a power-point program for presentation to potential corporate partners.

Pine Tree Zone

The board also gave permission for Christiansen to pursue whatever needs to be done to try to qualify the River Valley area as a Pine Tree Zone.

Pine Tree Zones are being defined and established by the state to encourage economic development in areas that have suffered losses of employment and population decline. The state will set up eight such areas.

Four have been named: Aroostook County, the Penobscot Valley, Washington County/Downeast, and the Androscoggin Valley region. Four more will be determined by early in 2004 following an application process.

The benefits of becoming part of a PTZ include sales tax exemptions, state income tax exemptions and tax incentive financing for new businesses.

During the research process that Christiansen will undertake, he will help decide whether the River Valley should join with the Androscoggin Valley area, check into joining with nearby Franklin and Somerset counties, or go it alone.

“One of the most important things we do this year would be to complete an application and get it in,” he said. That application is due by the end of December.

He estimated that about 10 areas of the state are vying for the four PTZ designations.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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