ABERDEEN, Wash. — From a distance, the Sierra Pacific Industries sawmill looks like any other large forest manufacturing operation.
But the rows and rows of neatly stacked boards — dried, graded, wrapped and bound for markets to the east — are not the only significant product created at the east Aberdeen facility. The byproducts are nearly as important, especially with lumber sales still struggling in the economic recession.
What sets the mill apart is an 18-megawatt power plant and transmission lines that carry power out to consumers rather than drawing it in for consumption.
Construction on a similar energy plant in Eugene is under way at Seneca sawmill.
The Washington mill, in operation since 2003, now represents one of the most significant suppliers of renewable energy to the Grays Harbor Public Utility District.
“Sierra Pacific Industries is proud to partner with the PUD to provide green energy for our local community,” the company said in a statement about a new 12-year deal that will supply the PUD with a minimum of 5 megawatts of power from the sawmill. “Utilizing byproducts such as the sawdust, bark, and trimmings from our manufacturing process, we create electricity.”
The privately held company has a long history of turning wood waste into biomass fuel for its steam-powered turbines. Sierra Pacific not only supplies power to run the sawmill but creates excess electricity to sell on the regional power market. Because of recent developments in that market, the PUD now is a ready customer, since it must comply with state requirements to procure a certain percentage of power generated from renewable resources, such as biomass fuel from wood or wind energy.
“The biomass power industry provides an environmentally responsible means to dispose of millions of tons of woody waste annually, turning what was once considered only waste material into valuable electricity,” according to the company statement.
“Our hope is that over time, SPI can increase the amount of green energy we provide to the local community,” said Sheri Nelson, Sierra Pacific community relations manager. “SPI hopes to continue and broaden our commitment in providing green energy for Grays Harbor County for many years to come.”
Copyright © 2010 — The Register-Guard
