To the editor:
Several folks have been asking if the 55MW Loring Combined Heat and Power (“CHP”) project is for or against the proposed wind generation projects in northern Maine. These summary points provide our current perspective: • Loring BioEnergy, LLC (“LBE”) is very much in favor of alternative (green) energy; we took a considerable delay in schedule to permit the Loring CHP to run on biodiesel as well as natural gas with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. When we’re running on biodiesel, we qualify as a Renewable Energy Facility.
• The Loring CHP is a base-load facility; this means we’ll be running nonstop. Base-load facilities are helpful for wind projects that only run when the wind is blowing. Base-load generators and wind generators are system compatible.
• The proposal to install 800MW of wind generation in northern Maine will require a new 345kV transmission line. A new transmission line would be very good for the Loring CHP; a direct connect to ISO-NE will provide a liquid market for the Loring CHP for those times of the month/day our generation cannot be consumed in northern Maine.
• As a dual-fuel facility permitted to run on both biodiesel and natural gas, LBE joins wind power in helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In addition, LBE in-region generation offers the benefits of system stability, system reliability, voltage support, new area competition and economic development.
• The Loring CHP will employ up to 1,000 direct and indirect construction jobs at peak; 60-plus permanent jobs, including CHP thermal hosts during operations.
We appreciate the support the Loring CHP has received from local, state and federal resources and look forward to generating electrons in the County for the County.
Vice President
