P.A. Hears Plans For Ethanol Plant

P.A. Hears Plans For Ethanol Plant

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:28

 

 

The possible transformation of the old Prince Albert pulp mill into a renewable energy plant was the subject of a meeting last night.

 

For the past three weeks, the city of Prince Albert has been abuzz with news that Iogen Corporation wants to turn the old P.A. pulp and paper mill into an ethanol plant.

 

The Prince Albert Exhibition Centre was the site of a public gathering, hosted by Iogen.

 

Company spokesman Jeff Passmore says there’s lot to like about the idea.

 

He notes the current mill site has access to truck routes, rail cars and other existing infrastructure.

 

Nothing has been finalized yet, but Passmore says a lot of employment would be created if the dream turns to reality, including jobs in construction, straw baling and trucking.

 

He adds the company is currently talking to Aboriginal groups in the area about the opportunities.

 

Meanwhile, the chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council says First Nations could profit by the proposed transfer of the pulp mill to a renewable energy site.

 

Under the terms of the proposal, farmers in the area would supply the plant with straw to help generate bio-mass energy.

 

However, PAGC Chief Ron Michel notes there are other materials that could be used as well, and many of them — such as sawdust — are found in the North.

 

Michel says it’s still too soon to say what will happen to the Wappawekka lumber mill.