Mohawk News : Mohawk Paper Mills Partners With New York State To Optimize Local Landfill Methane Gas Use

Cohoes, NY - After two and a half years of intense study, Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc. has been selected by the State of New York to participate in a $3.6 million "green energy" project. This project, supported by Governor George E. Pataki, will harness methane greenhouse gases from the Town of Colonie landfill to fuel electric generators with an output of approximately 2.5 megawatts.

"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work directly with government on a project that has so many clear benefits," said George Milner, vice president of energy and environmental affairs at Mohawk. "More often than not, government and business tend to be at odds with respect to regulatory issues, therefore it's a pleasure to participate in a venture where everyone benefits."

Expected to be completed within the next eighteen to twenty-four months, this project is the result of the collaboration efforts by the New York Power Authority, the Town of Colonie, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Mohawk Paper Mills, a manufacturer of fine printing and writing paper for national and overseas markets.

Currently, the waste gases from the landfill, the energy equivalent of about 55,000 barrels of oil a year, are being burnt off via gas collection and flaring systems. The proposed project would convert the waste gas into electricity at a substation at NYPA's Crescent hydroelectric plant located next to the Mohawk River. From there, the power would be delivered to Mohawk's mill in the City of Cohoes in Albany County.

"Many companies still view environmental management as a burdensome and costly activity," commented Milner. "Mohawk looks at environmental management as a useful exercise that, over time, makes us a more efficient and competitive company. As a company, we have in place a comprehensive procedure to evaluate the environmental impact of each and every activity we engage in. By taking a proactive approach to these kinds of issues we are ensuring that our environmental footprint remains small."

Initially approached by the EPA over two years ago, Mohawk Paper Mills partnered with the Town of Colonie and NYSERDA to co-fund a study to determine the level of energy that could be obtained from the landfill, and whether Mohawk would be a good candidate for the power. Mohawk was selected as a potential, and ultimately sole user of this gas based on economic and technical factors.

Mohawk, as an energy-intensive company within close proximity to the landfill, is capable of utilizing 100 percent of the energy produced annually. Participating in this project will assure Mohawk of stable electric prices for at least a period of ten years.

This project will serve as a model for thirty to forty other identified sites in New York State.

Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc. is a leader in the manufacture of premium printing papers. From its flagship grade, Mohawk Superfine, through proprietary new Inxwell products, Navajo and Options, Mohawk has engineered its papers to provide optimal performance for offset sheetfed, and web as well as for digital printing.

Laura Shore
Mohawk Paper Mills Inc.
465 Saratoga Street
Cohoes, New York 12047-4698