Plainfield Renewable Energy LLC is a joint venture between Decker Energy International, Inc., and NuPower LLC, dedicated to developing Connecticut's leading renewable energy project. The Plainfield Project will produce renewable power from biomass fuels. This protects our fragile environment by creating fewer pollutants and conserving limited fossil fuels, among many other benefits.

Decker Energy is an established company in the biomass energy market, with four biomass power plants located in Michigan, Florida and North Carolina. Decker Energy was founded in 1982, and is based in Winter Park, Florida. NuPower LLC is a local Connecticut company involved in multiple facets of the renewable energy market. NuPower is based in Norwalk and has been a leader in the Connecticut renewable energy market.

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, created by the Connecticut General Assembly, promotes the development of clean energy throughout the state. The Clean Energy Fund has selected Plainfield Renewable Energy to meet their progressive goals for generating clean energy, and has committed significant development funding to insure its success.

Meeting Connecticut's Clean Power Needs

Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels

In 2003, the Connecticut Legislature recognized the need for the state to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuel power plants, and passed a landmark renewable energy bill. This bill promotes the development of clean, renewable power generation, and requires that a minimum of 100 megawatts (MW) of renewable power from Connecticut projects be purchased by the two Connecticut utilities. The Plainfield Project is a 30 megawatt wood-fueled power plant that will provide Connecticut with renewable electrical power. It will use wood from a variety of sources such as tree thinnings, pallets and recycled waste wood. This wood is known as biomass, a word that describes materials such as plant matter or wood. The energy created is renewable because it is replenished quickly, compared to the millions of years required to create fossil fuels. In Europe and other parts of the U.S., wood waste is already an important source of bioenergy.

The power production technology is an advanced, staged gasification system that generates steam used to drive a conventional steam turbine generator. The electricity produced will be used to meet Connecticut's renewable power needs.

The Plainfield Project Location

The Project will be located on 29 acres of industrial-zoned land in Plainfield, bounded by Talredi Road and State Route 12. Previously a Superfund location, this site has been fully cleaned and remediated and will now significantly contribute to Plainfield's tax base.

Using Indigenous, Renewable Resources

Protecting our Fragile Environment

The Plainfield Project is being carefully designed to meet or exceed all state and federal environmental performance requirements. In comparison with other fuel power projects such as oil and coal, the Project has a considerably lower emissions profile.

Lowered Emissions Lowering emissions from power generation is a critical part of our sustainable environmental future, and contributes to the protection of our beautiful state. Compared to oil-fired power plants, biomass gasification technology produces substantially reduced levels of every major pollutant, including 75% less nitrogen oxide and 90% less sulfur dioxide. Low levels of sulfur prevent biomass plants from contributing to the acid rain problem.

Reduced Greenhouse Gases

Carbon dioxide, an emission that has been identified as a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, is also produced at a significantly lower level relative to coal, oil and natural gas power generation. Biomass absorbs carbon dioxide during growth of wood and green materials, and emits it during gasification. Therefore, it effectively recycles atmospheric carbon and does not add to the greenhouse effect.

"…carbon dioxide emissions released by the burning of fossil fuels are directly linked to climate change. Today we are literally saying let's put a lid on these emissions and let's commit to the transition to renewable energy sources."

   -State Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy, December 2005

Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels

The Plainfield Project will reduce reliance on fossil fuels by Connecticut residents. As natural gas and crude oil prices set new records, reducing dependence on these fuels will have a positive economic impact. The New England Independent System Operator, the organization responsible for the reliability of the New England power system, has issued warnings that, due to the potential shortage of natural gas for our state's power plants, power shortages could potentially occur during the next few years.

"Americans need and deserve a smarter, cleaner energy policy that reduces our dependence on polluting energy sources, safeguards our natural resources, and significantly increases energy efficiency and renewable energy."

  -The League of Conservation Voters, Inc., Energy Policy, January 2005

Renewable Energy and a Growing Economy

The Plainfield Project will create a positive economic impact in Plainfield and Eastern Connecticut by generating several hundred construction jobs over an estimated 18-month period. Once in operation, the Project will provide 20-25 steady, well-paid permanent positions at the facility. Up to 100 more jobs will be created in supporting businesses throughout the region.

"(Recent hurricanes) pointed out the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure…and made clear our need for energy that is safe, innovative and homegrown…We need mayors, governors, CEOs, religious leaders, sportsmen and students to join together to get our nation on a sensible energy path."

-Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resource Defense Council, January 2006

Clean Energy for a New Era

Energy is a significant issue, not only in Connecticut but throughout the United States. Connecticut has taken the lead in establishing an energy program that includes in-state renewable energy projects such as Plainfield Renewable Energy. This program provides fuel diversity by reducing our dependence on imported oil and increasingly scarce natural gas.

Besides using local fuel, the Plainfield Project reduces the existing, costly practice of shipping wood to landfills for burial. The Project's flexible gasification technology allows for clean, reliable power production using wood as a fuel source.

Renewable energy is not only efficient, but it is also good for our fragile environment. The Plainfield Project replaces other power generation methods that currently use costly imported fossil fuel, and it lowers emissions. In addition, the Project's gasification technology produces substantially less climate changing CO2 that even natural gas-fired plants.

Together with these environment benefits, the Project provides substantial economic benefits to the Plainfield economy and the greater Eastern Connecticut region over many years.

The Plainfield Project leads the people of Connecticut to a new and better energy era, by creating a reliable energy alternative using renewable power.

"We are working to combat climate change, encourage energy conservation and stimulate the development of renewable energy sources…to (build) a more secure energy future for our state."

-Governor Jodi Rell; December 20, 2005

Benefits of the Plainfield Renewable Energy Project

-Answers Connecticut's energy needs using indigenous, renewable resources
-Supported by Connecticut's Clean Energy Fund
-Utilizes waste wood that would otherwise end up in landfills
-Contributes significantly to Plainfield's tax base
-Creates hundreds of initial construction jobs; stimulates employment through over 100   permanent jobs in the region
-Reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels
-Reduces dependence on scarce natural gas sources
-Meets or exceeds all federal environmental performance requirements
-Substantially lowers levels of sulfur preventing production of acid rain
-Recycles atmospheric carbon; does not add to the greenhouse effect

Plainfield Renewable Energy LLC
20 Marshall Street
Norwalk CT 06854
203.354.1529
ddonovan@prellc.net
www.prellc.net