RUMFORD – Thousands of tons of wood chips have been arriving at the NewPage mill since December, thanks to two biomass plant shutdowns and a federal farm bill.
“This is the largest amount we’ve had,” said Tony Lyons, director of fiber supply for the paper mill.
The unusually large amount of material can be attributed to several things, he said. Among them is the temporary shutdown of biomass plants in Stratton and Livermore, so the mill has been taking the deliveries. Also, the mill qualified as part of the 2008 Farm Bill Biomass Crop Assistance Program that boosts the use of biomass materials at lower than regular costs.
That saves the mill money to produce electricity in its co-generation plant. The wood chips are used along with coal and tire chips.
The less expensive wood chips arriving now also provide the mill with a chance to build inventory for the spring, Lyons said.
“This allows us to manage the fuel mix. We’re paying less than we would pay. Suppliers get a matching payment (from the government),” he said.
The mill also accepts material from its chipping mills in West Paris, Farmington and Shelburne, N.H., as well as from loggers.
“We did not anticipate this much. The deliveries will slow down soon,” he said.
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