Ohio paper mill replaces coal energy with biomass, waste

Dec. 22 -- A paper mill in Ohio is helping the state meet renewable energy mandates by replacing coal with paper waste and biomass in its power plant.

The Hamilton, Ohio, plant owned by SMART Papers includes a 37.8 megawatt co-generation power plant. The company has replaced half of the 100,000 tons of coal used annually to fuel the power plant with cellulosic fuel pellets made from non-recyclable waste paper and waste biomass diverted from landfills.

Under Ohio law, 25% of the power sold in the state must be generated from alternative energy sources; at least half of that must come from renewable sources. The state Public Utilities Commission designated the SMART Papers plant as an eligible renewable source energy generator for this program.

"The state utility commission´s ruling enables us to help Ohio meet its requirement for renewable energy supply," said Dan Maheu, president of SMART Papers. "This is a powerful example of how manufacturers can cost-efficiently reduce dependence on fossil fuels -- and put excess renewable energy on the U.S. electricity grid."

The company´s co-generation facility produces electricity for its own use. Excess energy is sold to the U.S. Power Transmission Grid and is distributed across Ohio and the central U.S. via the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator.

The Hamilton papermaking center, in operation since 1893, is where coated printing papers for magazines were invented and first produced. Since the early 1980s, SMART Papers produces premium coated printing and packaging papers with up to 100% post-consumer waste content.

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Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com

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