It’s been less than a decade since this day in late October of 2014. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand joined leaders from ReEnergy - announcing a plan to open a biomass plant. Using wood - forest scraps to power all of Fort Drum and then some. The plan was for at least 20 years of usage.

But today, again, just nine years later, that plant is set to close at the end of this month as New York State decided against biomass as a renewable energy worthy of tax credits for businesses that produce power using it.

“Yeah, I think it was a mistake. Biomass by its very nature is renewable. Forest products renew themselves. So, when you are considering a renewable energy credit, this should definitely fall,” New York State Senator Mark Walczyk said.

And Walczyk isn’t alone in that belief. The North Country’s members of Assembly and even Senator’s Schumer and Gillibrand are pushing the state to have frank discussion about what this means to Fort Drum, which if the plant closes, it would then go back to the grid for power.

What You Need To Know

  • It was in the fall of 2014 when the old coal plant on Fort Drum was converted to a biomass plant - as the push for renewable energy has continued

  • The biomass plant, which uses forest scraps, powered all of Fort Drum and more

  • The plant, which was receiving tax credits, will no longer - as NYS has decided biomass will no longer fall under the category of renewable energy deserving of a tax credit

“This is a 60 megawatt facility that is pumping energy into our area currently. When you take that offline, there is a ripple effect across Northern New York and across New York State’s power production abilities. That math needs to be done,” Walczyk added.

If the plant were to shut down, not only would it impact Drum’s power usage and military goals on energy dependence, but it would also mean 300 jobs are wiped out, both directly from the plant and those who provide the biomass to the plant: Loggers.

“You are talking about the limbs and scraps and all of the things that right now they’re turning dollar signs into, that for a lumber industry that sort of struggles,” he said.

An end of January deadline imposed by ReEnergy to have biomass once again be considered renewable - has long passed. and while Walczyk says hope is not a plan, there is a plan in place for a last minute Hail Mary.

“We’re pushing on the advocacy end. We pushing the executive and the Public Service Commission to do the right thing.”

Walczyk says to see the impact of not reversing course, you need only look at the 2021 closing of a nuclear power plant in the Hudson Valley, Indian Point, a decision he says has forced the purchase of even more fossil fuels than before… to help power New York City.

Gillibrand has recently said she has had a chance to talk with Gov. Kathy Hochul and is hopeful she made the case on why the plant is so important to the North Country.