US-based biomass power plant owner and operator ReEnergy Holdings Inc., a portfolio company of US-headed energy and power-focused private equity firm Riverstone Holdings LLC, is set to shutter its 22 MW biomass facility in Lyonsdale, New York (NY). According to the Associated Press (AP), the plant has stopped operating and will shut down entirely today if the state Public Service Commission (PSC) fails to renew a contract that helps support the plant.
Located on a 46-acre (≈ 18.6 hectares) adjacent to the Southern Adirondacks in Lyonsdale, NY (Lewis County), the 22 MW Lyonsdale combined heat and power (CHP) facility was opened in 1992 and acquired by ReEnergy in March 2011. The plant uses woody biomass such as forest residues and other “unadulterated wood, pallet-derived wood, and non-recyclable fibrous material” to produce electricity for energy utilities and process steam to an adjacent manufacturer.
According to AP, the plant has stopped operating and ReEnergy is petitioning the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to renew state subsidies intended to support renewable energy. If PSC decides not to renew the contract, the plant will shut down on December 29. ReEnergy is also reported to be looking at repurposing the site, which could include construction of a renewable fuel oil facility.
