We Energies, paper mill to create biomass plant

ROTHSCHILD, WISCONSIN - A Wisconsin energy company is joining with a paper mill to create a quarter-billion-dollar renewable energy plant fueled in part by waste wood.

Domtar Corp.´s Rothschild, Wis., paper mill will be the site of a power plant funded by Wisconsin Energy Corp. that will use biomass including waste wood, sawdust and wood.

Wisconsin Energy, which goes by We Energies, said the project will produce about 50 megawatts of electricity and add to the companyÂ’s renewable energy portfolio.

"With this partnership with We Energies we have the potential to create a real win-win situation by bringing jobs to the community, improving our millÂ’s competitiveness and providing more green power to the state of Wisconsin," Domtar CEO John D. Williams said.

We Energies will file paperwork with the state seeking approval of the plant early next year and hopes to complete the project in 2013. The company provides both electric and natural gas service.