ReEnergy is scheduled to close in March 2023 if the state doesn’t support their petition to stay open
By Zach Grady, 7 News, Waretown, NY
FORT DRUM, New York (WWNY) – You don’t normally think about where the wood goes when Bill Elliott & Sons Tree Service cuts down a tree. A large amount of the wood waste is sent to Fort Drum and its Biomass plant. A plant that is set to shut down.
“Huge effect. Right now, we generate about 60,000 yards a year of wood waste. About 45,000 of that goes to ReEnergy,” said Justin Elliott, Co-Owner of Bill Elliott & Sons Tree Service.
The biomass plant provides Fort Drum with all of its power, not needing power from National Grid.
ReEnergy CEO Larry Richardson says more than 300 jobs could be lost if the plant does closes in March.
“It will affect probably two employees at our place; a guy in the yard, and a truck driver,” said Elliott.
The issue is what’s now considered as renewable energy. Those that are, like hydro and wind, are eligible for state tax incentives. Those that aren’t, like biomass, do not.
Richardson says “Although we enjoy strong local support, including our local state legislators, we were unable to secure the support we needed from the State Legislature or Public Service Commission.”
ReEnergy needs support from the state by month’s end or else the company says it’ll start the process of closing.
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