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Briquette project sparks interest at ECSWC meetingBy Danielle Strenke The East Central Solid Waste Commission may have finally found a profitable use for its long-vacant facilities in Mora. At its meeting Monday, the commissioners approved a draft agreement with the firm BMSI to begin a briquette manufacturing project at the Mora site. The waste-to-energy pilot project would take 3 years to complete. ECSWC Executive Director Gene Kramer said the best part is that it will not cost the commission any money. Under the agreement, BMSI is required to foot the bill for any repairs or improvements to existing equipment at the Mora site. The company will also be responsible for extra utility charges throughout the project. BMSI will also be assessed any increases in liability insurance needed for the ECSWC and will incur costs from any damages to the facility during the contracted term. Kramer said initially the project will use 433 tons of waste per month and increase to 520 tons per month, coming out of the average 7,000 tons of waste collected per month in Mora. The waste will be manufactured into briquettes in the shape of hockey pucks, which are then burned and generate electricity. The goal at the end of the project would be to construct a power plant at the Mora site to utilize the electricity. Kramer said BMSI is ready with the proposed $1.66 million to start the project next year, and an estimated $10 million to complete the entire project. ìWe have to think about what our role would be in this,î Kramer said. Kanabec County Commissioner Dennis McNally asked how many jobs the project would create. Kramer said it would start with four employees and build to at least 12 by the end of the three years. Kramer said that the savings in taking that amount of waste out of the landfill each month will be invaluable to the commission. ©ECM Post Review |