Massena pellet mill leading "green"

Curran Renewables in Massena started its first test run of wood pellet production last week. The plant, owned by Pat Curran – who also owns Seaway Timber Harvesting – will make up to 100,000 tons of wood pellets a year from wood scraps from the timber business.

The business garnered a national first recently when the Rainforest Alliance gave it green certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. From the press release:

With the increasing importance of biomass as a source of energy, businesses are recognizing the risks that could result from placing increased pressure on finite forest resources to fill the demand for their production,” explains Dave Bubser, SmartWood regional manager for the Rainforest Alliance. “The FSC/Rainforest Alliance certification acts as a guarantee to consumers and producers that their efforts to promote energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not compromised by destructive impacts to forests, communities and wildlife that can result from overharvesting. Curran Renewable Energy’s efforts establish FSC certification as a guide for balancing environmental and social values with the production of forest-based biofuels.

Pat Curran says he’s been approached by more interested buyers since the certification was announced last week. But he’s waiting to make commitments until the Massena plant goes into full production mode. He says that could happen by the end of the month.