BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES BUILDS ADDITIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY IN TAYLOR COUNTY WITH ENERGY INDEPENDENCE PROJECT
August 11, 2009
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GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
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TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced that Buckeye Technologies’ Taylor County facility is implementing an Energy Independence Project that will boost electrical energy generation from renewable biomass and improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide emissions and volatile organic compound emissions. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp will attend the company’s announcement in Perry this morning.
“The project means immediate jobs from renewable energy,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Buckeye has been, and will continue to be, a major economic engine for the region."
Thanks in part to a state incentive and support from the Taylor County Development Authority, Buckeye’s energy initiative will generate an additional 12 megawatts of electrical power from renewable wood resources and reduce the use of fossil fuels at the site by the equivalent 200,000 barrels of oil per year.
The energy project, which features the installation of a condensing steam turbine at the cellulose manufacturing plant near Perry, is expected to temporarily create approximately 148 direct jobs during the installation process, and help retain 555 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs. Buckeye has committed to invest $32.3 million in the turbine and associated equipment that will provide steam to the turbine. The project is part of Buckeye’s vision to reduce the plant’s dependency on fossil fuels, improve its impact on the environment, and create a more sustainable business.
“Buckeye is honored and very pleased with the decision of Governor Crist to award funds from the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development’s Quick Action Closing Fund incentive program to the company’s Energy Independence Project. The company is committed to eliminating the use of fossil fuels at our plant near Perry and eventually producing renewable energy for others to use,” said Buckeye Chairman and CEO John B. Crowe.
The company is eligible to receive up to $7.381 million from the Quick Action Closing Fund with the State of Florida. This performance-based incentive provides up-front cash to approved economic development projects.
“Buckeye Technologies’ successful collaboration has proved to be invaluable and instrumental to the results we celebrate today,” Lt. Governor Kottkamp said. “This achievement will be vital to helping Florida remain competitive in this arena.”
“Clearly, the Buckeye Technologies Energy Independence project at the Perry plant is another example of how Taylor County is gaining a reputation as a welcoming place to do business,” said Chairman of the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners Rudolph Parker. “Our economy wins when companies of such caliber as Buckeye are growing in Perry and providing high-wage, high-tech, knowledge-based jobs.”
About Buckeye Florida
Buckeye Florida is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buckeye Technologies Inc. headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The parent company is the only manufacturer in the world offering cellulose-based specialty products made from both wood and cotton and utilizing wetlaid and airlaid technologies. The company provides products to customers in 60 countries. The Florida operation near Perry has produced wood cellulose products since 1954. For more information, visit www.bkitech.com.
About the Governor’s The Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
The Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) formulates policies and strategies designed to promote economic growth and diversify the state’s economic base. OTTED provides executive direction, develops policies and advocates for economic diversification and improvements in Florida’s business climate and infrastructure by focusing on six economic drivers to unify state-wide economic development planning and action: 1) Sustainable growth, 2) Competitive business climate, 3) Multi-model infrastructure, 4) Research & development, 5) Entrepreneurial systems, and 6) World-class talent. For more information, visit www.flgov.com/otted_home.