I support an industrial wood pellet plant in Northern Minnesota because of the high return on investment to the State of Minnesota (better than 20 to 1).

The benefits to Minnesota include:

• 45 Direct Jobs / > 245 Total Job Impact (Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development)
• $17 Million Per Year of Export Revenue
• $14.7 Million in Wages and >$56 Million in Annual Economic Activity
• Diversifies Forest Products Industry and Creates New Residual Market
• Does Not Limit Residual Availability for Pulp & Paper Industry
• Benefits School Trust Lands Through Additional Revenue
• Improves Forest Health and Landowner Economics - Broader Species Mix
• Opens Minnesota to a Growing Global Renewable Energy Market

Project Details

• Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
• $30 Million Investment
• No Technology Risk
• 100% Residual Fiber
• 220,000 Tons Residuals = 100,000 Metric Tons Pellets
• Dryer Fuel = 50,000 Tons bark
• Minor Source Air Permit
• Transport: BNSF Mainline
• Port: Vancouver, BC - Leading Wood Pellet Handling Port
• Export to Asia (15-20 Year Take-or-Pay Agreement)

Why a Wood Pellet Plant in Minnesota?

• Over 1.2 Million Ton Decline in Wood Fiber Demand Due to End User Closures
• Ample supply of sawmill residuals resulting from a decade of demand decline
• Wood pellet plant would use only a small fraction of total wood fiber demand
• Nearly 250,000 cords of Minnesota DNR timber sales unsold in FY2019.

Testimonials

“Diversifying school trust revenues is a major goal for the Office of School Trust Lands. The NorthStar Pellet facility proposal is a prime example of how to create a new revenue stream while also addressing climate change.”

Aaron Vande Linde // School Trust Lands Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

“Wood pellets provide additional utilization markets and energy sources for Minnesota’s economic and environmental future.”

Brian Hubert // Minnesota Forestry Association

Check out the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSTle6KvNPo&feature=youtu.be