Environmental Sustainability
Ensuring Continued Viability
ReEnergy’s biomass-to-energy facilities use regionally sourced fuel from loggers and mills – residuals that would otherwise be sent to landfills or be left to decay on the forest floor. The forest residue used at ReEnergy’s facilities is sustainably harvested fuel, ensuring the continued viability of forestland for generations to come. In ReEnergy’s regions, forest growth far exceeds tree mortality and removals, which results in increased forest inventory. Sustainably managed forests are examined on a landscape basis, meaning that the total volume of trees will increase, even while some trees are harvested. If there is an economic return for timberland owners, there is greater likelihood that the land will remain as forests and not be converted to another use.
Sustainable Forestry
ReEnergy is the first company solely devoted to electricity production to be certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Standard. This independent and globally recognized certification indicates the significant commitment that ReEnergy has made to procure forest materials from qualified logging professionals who utilize best management practices and operate with an ethic of land stewardship that integrates reforestation and protects the long-term quality of soil, air, water resources, biological diversity and aesthetics.
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The fuel procurement program at ReEnergy Black River is SFI certified. ReEnergy’s procurement practices in Maine support and encourage the best management practices as recommended by SFI
Managing Environmental Impacts
ReEnergy’s efforts to manage environmental impacts are extensive and continuous, as we are committed to ensuring that our facilities meet or exceed stringent regulatory requirements. We work collaboratively with federal, state and local regulators to implement practices and programs that mitigate environmental impacts and allow us to provide clean, homegrown electricity to our communities in the safest and cleanest manner possible.
To ensure environmental compliance, we utilize state-of-the-art technology and implement various programs to set goals and monitor our performance and progress on a continuous basis. We employ highly qualified engineers, environmental officers and well-respected consultants to ensure that our operating practices and our equipment and systems meet the high expectations set by our regulators and ourselves.
