Owens visits cogen plant in Lyonsdale
LYONSDALE — The Democratic candidate in the 23rd Congressional District on Thursday reiterated his support for renewable energy during a visit to the Lyonsdale Biomass wood-chip-burning cogeneration plant.
"It does all the things we like to see in the district," William L. Owens said after taking a tour of the 19-megawatt plant.
The facility employs 20 people, provides income for a large number of loggers, exports steam to the neighboring Burrows Paper Corp. plant and reduces dependence on fossil fuels, Mr. Owens said.
The candidate said he visited several renewable energy sites throughout the district, including nearby Maple Ridge Wind Farm, to get a better sense of future possibilities. "We have a lot of creative people doing a lot of exciting things," Mr. Owens said.
The Lyonsdale plant's owner, Catalyst Renewables Corp., Dallas, in December 2006 announced plans to construct a $20 million ethanol-producing biorefinery next to the cogeneration plant, with assistance from federal funding. The effort is contingent upon a small pilot facility at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, showing the process to be commercially viable. It would be the nation's first such facility to use wood chips.
While aware of the need to reduce the federal deficit, Mr. Owens said, he would still favor funding for such projects, as long as they are expected to create jobs.
"That's a great investment of your dollar," he said.
"All of New York state could really benefit from this type of facility," said Carol A. Thimot, Catalyst's vice president and chief financial officer.
During questioning by reporters, Mr. Owens said his camp is "working on other debates" in addition to the one next Thursday in Syracuse, but added that it will be difficult, given the time constraints. He also declined to specify how much of his campaign funding is coming from within the state and suggested that if elected, he wouldn't be a puppet of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
"I'm going to vote based on what I believe is in the best interest of the district," Mr. Owens said.
Mr. Owens, Republican Dierdre K. Scozzafava and Conservative Party candidate Douglas L. Hoffman are looking to replace former Rep. John M. McHugh, who earlier this year was named Army secretary.
