|
|
| News |
 |
Hudson Valley Rallies Around Taylor Biomass Energy Project
Project Would Deliver Significant Environmental and Economic Benefits
NEW WINDSOR, New York (May 27, 2010) – Support for construction of the nation’s first commercial-scale biomass gasification facility that would utilize municipal solid waste to produce electricity is growing in the Hudson Valley, with local government officials, economic development organizations, unions and others rallying around an application by Taylor Biomass Energy LLC for $80 million in loan guarantees by the U.S. Department of Energy (after taking into consideration proceeds from the U.S. Treasury Grant program).
The company, which currently has recycling operations at its site in Montgomery, New York, has piloted the innovative biomass technology and garnered about $27 million in private investment,
but needs the loan guarantees through a Department of Energy program designed for clean energy businesses in order to make the project feasible. Construction of the facility would create at least 300 construction jobs while also retaining 30 current jobs and adding 85 full-time new employees at the site.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey have both urged Steven Chu, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, to approve the company’s loan guarantee application, which has been pending since mid-January. An invitation also was extended to the Secretary to visit the Hudson Valley and see the positive impact that the loan guarantee would have on the region.
“Securing these loan guarantees is absolutely critical to the future of Taylor Biomass and job creation in the Hudson Valley,” Senator Schumer said recently. “The minute Secretary Chu sees this place he’ll know it’s a winner and worthy of any assistance the Department of Energy can provide.”
In a recent letter to Secretary Chu conveying his strong support of the project, Congressman Hinchey noted: “I believe this biomass gasification project will offer very significant environmental and economic benefits to the Hudson Valley region and New York State.”
“I applaud the efforts of our elected officials to try to expedite approval of Taylor’s loan guarantee application,” said Michael Oates, President and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. “Creating good-quality jobs is a top priority in the Hudson Valley and we want to make sure this project happens and gets the support it needs.”
“With construction unemployment at a 10-year high with the building trades in the Hudson Valley, this project is desperately needed,” said L. Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building & Construction Trades Council. “There is a commitment to a project labor agreement ensuring local union labor on the project. Elected officials and the entire Hudson Valley need to continue to push for this project. This is a good project all the way around.”
Orange County Partnership President and CEO Maureen Halahan stated: “Taylor’s innovative approach to waste management has gained major interest worldwide. Jim Taylor has made presentations all over the globe promoting this groundbreaking technology. We welcome the opportunity to be the showcase for this breakthrough technology which will address two of the world’s most serious issues, waste management and energy generation, and put Orange County
on the map.”
“The Taylor Biomass project is the most exciting initiative the Hudson Valley has seen in decades,” said Dr. John A. D'Ambrosio, President of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. “Over and above the enormous implications of the biomass gasification technology that has been developed there, the fact that it will bring 300 construction jobs and add 80 new employees at the facility is tremendously important, especially in today’s economic climate. Jim Taylor is an extraordinary visionary and it is up to the rest of us to support his vision and bring this project to fruition.”
“The ability to find a beneficial re-use for our waste stream and create badly needed jobs for the Hudson Valley amounts to the quintessential ‘win-win.’ The Taylor Biomass project does just that and moves the industry to a new level in the process,” said Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO
of Pattern for Progress.
The Taylor Biomass Energy facility is projected to create 24 MW of new renewable electricity generation capacity while diverting more than 140,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually.
In turn, this will reduce greenhouse
emissions relating to the long-distance transportation and disposal of these wastes at landfills. Estimates by the company also project that the facility will reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy by 7.4 million gallons of oil per year.
HVEDC represents seven counties in the Hudson Valley: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam Counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as one of the world’s prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. In addition, HVEDC’s mission includes aggressive advocacy in Albany to secure state support for economic development projects in the Hudson Valley.
For more information on the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, visit www.hvedc.com or call 845-220-2244. |
| |
|
|
Click here to view all news articles
|
|
|
|