150 likes | 255 Views
The Tale of Two Ashland Projects. David Donovan Manager, Regulatory Policy. Bay Front Operations. 35 full-time employees Wood purchases of $5.0 million in 2008 $20 million+ local economic impact Generates an average of 325,000 MWh/year Helps meet Wisconsin’s RPS
E N D
The Tale of Two Ashland Projects David Donovan Manager, Regulatory Policy
Bay Front Operations • 35 full-time employees • Wood purchases of $5.0 million in 2008 • $20 million+ local economic impact • Generates an average of 325,000 MWh/year • Helps meet Wisconsin’s RPS • Beneficial use of fly ash to construct “pad sites” to aid local farmers, ranchers, others
Fuels at Bay Front • Waste wood • Natural gas • Coal • Shredded tires
Bay Front Gasification Project • Need for long-term plan for Bay Front • Financial and environmental considerations • Convert remaining coal-fired boiler to use biomass gasification technology • Project allows plant to use 100% biomass • Approximately $58 million • Adds 200,00-250,000 tons of biomass per year
Major Environmental Improvements • NOx: 60% • SO2: 80% • Particulate Matter: 80% • Avoids 100,000 tons coal per year • Avoids 200,000 tons CO2 emissionsper year • Reduction in mercury emissions
Regulatory Process • Feb. 2009 – Filed Application with PSCW • Certificate of Authority vs. CPCN • March-April 2009 – MPUC, NDPSC applications • Spring-Summer 2009 – Environmental Assessment • Fall 2009 – Public hearings • Fall or Winter 2009 – PSCW decision
Customer and Community Impact • Eco-municipality goals of Chequamegon Bay • Retain fuel costs in Wisconsin • Support local economic development • Achieve carbon management goals • Meet renewable portfolio standards • Support local agricultural industry
History of Ashland and the Site • Wood processing activities 1884-1939 • Manufactured Gas Plant operation 1885-1947 • Ashland County 1939-1942 • City of Ashland (landfill and WWTP) 1942-now
Project History • WDNR site evaluation 1994 • NSP characterizes MGP site 1995-1997 • Site proposed for listing on NPL Dec. 2000 • Listed on NPL Sept. 2002
Ashland Lakefront Project • Schroeder Lumber • Occupied the site from 1901 to 1939. • Harvested more than 50,000,000 board-feet of logs per year. • Operated sawmill, lath mill and planing mill at this site. • Produced finished lumber, creosoted treated railroad ties, piles for dock construction, roof shingles and cedar posts. • Shipped wood from pulp mills to Fox River Valley. • Employed hundreds of people at the site, paying some of the best wages in the area. A $1-million company in 1901.
Ashland Lakefront Project • City of Ashland • Wastewater treatment plant • Municipal and construction debris landfill • Construction of the marina • Canadian National Railroad
Ashland Lakefront Project • Remedial investigation completed 2007 • Feasibility study completed 2008 • Framework document signed 2008 What’s next? Who pays?