A biomass power plant in Berlin has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and terminated its contract to sell power to Eversource, after a years-long controversy over the cost of its electricity.
Eversource, New Hampshire’s largest utility company, is rejecting the company’s termination of their contract, and the company says it will pursue mediation.
Burgess BioPower, which owns the plant, has been selling electricity to Eversource since 2011. The biomass plant generates power by burning low-grade wood. Much of that power has been more expensive than the market rate, and that cost has been borne by ratepayers.
The impact of Burgess’s over-market costs on Granite Staters’ electric bills has been a sticking point for many, including the state’s ratepayer advocate. But the plant has supporters, especially in the North Country. Former Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier said the plant was a “vital” part of the city’s economy –— and the health of Coos County more broadly.
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A report paid for by Burgess BioPower but prepared independently found that Burgess supported 240 jobs, and had an annual economic benefit to New Hampshire of more than $43 million. The 2019 report found if Burgess closed, more than 100 people in the forest and wood products industries would lose jobs. The plant provides a market for low-grade forest products, which are not usually used elsewhere.
But in the years Burgess has been selling power to Eversource, biomass plants have struggled across New England. The impact of burning wood for power has received scrutiny from those concerned about climate change and the health of nearby communities. And economics, for Burgess, remained an issue.
The contract between Burgess and Eversource set a limit of $100 million in over-market costs, or the accumulated extra cost of Burgess’s power if it was above the market rate.
Lawmakers suspended that limit multiple times. But last year, Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a bill that would have given Burgess BioPower a financial lift by relieving it of the responsibility to pay back the over-market costs it accrued over the $100 million cap, about $71 million.
At the time, Burgess BioPower spokesperson Sarah Boone said the veto created a “serious financial event” for the company, and for the northern New Hampshire economy.
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Now, Burgess says it’s terminating its contract with Eversource because of the utility’s “failure to make required payments” to the company.
That’s a claim Eversource disputes, saying they started “reducing payments” to Burgess to recover the $71 million in over-market costs they’ve paid to Burgess over the past three years. That reduction in payments is part of the requirements of their contract.
“Eversource is not in default of the contract and rejects Burgess’ unilateral termination of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), as well as any claims that our adherence to the terms of the contract forced its bankruptcy,” spokesperson William Hinkle said in a statement.
Burgess disputes that Eversource is allowed to reduce particular kinds of payments, like those for Renewable Energy Certificates, in order to collect back over-market costs.
Hinkle said the utility will pursue mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes to collect that $71 million. Eversource does not profit off of their contract with Burgess, he said, and savings from reduced payments go to utility customers through a decrease in a part of their bill called the Stranded Cost Recovery Charge. Burgess’s announcement that it is terminating the contract will not have an impact on electricity service.
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Burgess says it will continue producing power throughout the bankruptcy process. According to company representative Sarah Boone, with court approval, they could sell their power into the region’s wholesale market or to another party.
The company says employees at their Berlin facility won’t be affected by the bankruptcy process, and they intend to reorganize in order to “best position the Company for long-term success.”
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
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Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
