Richardson points to N.H. plant as potential model

(The Santa Fe New Mexican)

By PHILIP ELLIOTT | Associated Press

Sun May 6, 2007 2:48 pm

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) _ Presidential hopeful Bill Richardson traipsed up a mountain of woodchips and called for increased investment in alternate energy sources, such as the wood-burning power plant he toured Sunday.

The Democratic New Mexico governor and former energy secretary said Public Service Company of New Hampshire's Schiller plant could be a model for future investments and could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

"It shows if we're ingenious, we can have renewable fuel and renewable energy as the main source for the future," he said, wood chips still clinging to his navy blazer. "Even if it means government subsidies, I would be supportive of that."

During his hour-long tour, Richardson cut off his tour guides with more questions: What is stopping others from converting their coal-burning plants into wood-burning? What is the environmental impact of the vapors blowing from the stacks on the river bank? Are they making money?

Even when pushing a button to unload tons of wood chips from a tractor-trailer, Richardson kept peppering his hosts.

"So all you need is tax breaks and incentives?" he asked.

PSNH converted one of its three coal-burning furnaces to wood-powered last year. Each day, the plant burns through about 1,500 tons of the lumber refuse. The timber industry has praised the operation as a way for foresters to make use of the scraggly, unusable trees; conservationists say the plant helps gird against clearcutting.